Mbappé returns energised from France, intent on reclaiming his crown at Real Madrid | OneFootball

Kylian Mbappé has returned to Madrid refreshed. According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Álvaro Arbeloa treated the France call-up as an opportunity and drew a line under the medical row after a second opinion in Paris.

In the past ten days he played 82 minutes in two games, scored once and eased knee concerns. He shone against Brazil with a slick finish, then created three chances in 12 minutes versus Colombia, one ruled offside.

His focus is Bayern Munich’s visit on 7 May, though Mallorca away at Son Moix comes first on Saturday at 16:15. Xabi Alonso had named him dressing-room leader, but after his exit and Arbeloa’s arrival the mantle has shifted back to Vinícius.

Since the 7 December knock against Celta he has gone four Champions League and six La Liga matches without scoring. His last goals came on 17 February, a brace in Lisbon in a 4-2 defeat to Mourinho’s Benfica. He now needs to drive the team in the Champions League and in a title race where Madrid trail Barcelona by four points.

Off the pitch Mbappé is in boot talks as his long relationship with Nike ends this summer and the sides remain far apart, with Adidas and Under Armour tabling richer proposals. Adidas supply Madrid’s kit and the club would welcome the alignment. Since 2019 he has earned 14 million euros a year from Nike, up to 16 with bonuses, and it remains to be seen if Adidas’s push succeeds, which could enable joint campaigns.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo