Kylian Mbappé working on his day off in race to be fit for El Clásico after injury setback
Real Madrid star Mbappé steps up recovery from hamstring issue as a midweek scan will determine his availability against Barcelona at Camp Nou.
Kylian Mbappé is back in Madrid and back with Real Madrid.
The French star returned to the Spanish capital after spending a few days away with his partner while recovering from injury, a trip that has sparked criticism among fans and some confusion inside the club.
Mbappé had permission to leave, as his injury requires rest and he did not need treatment at Valdebebas. However, sources at the club acknowledge they would have preferred the downtime to stay out of the public spotlight. Images of him on a yacht, given the team’s current situation, did not go down well in some quarters.
Back in Madrid and back at work
Mbappé is now back and focused on a key target: being fit for El Clásico at Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday.
Real Madrid may have little left to play for in LaLiga, but the match carries major weight. A win would prevent Barcelona from clinching the league title against their biggest rival. Mbappé does not want to miss it.
He reported to Valdebebas on Tuesday, even on a scheduled day off for the squad, to work with the club’s physiotherapists and fitness staff. This was not an isolated case either. During another team rest day last week, he also showed up at the training ground to continue his recovery work, according to club sources.
Race to El Clasico fitness
The key moment will come on Wednesday, when Mbappé undergoes a scan to assess the progress of his recovery from a hamstring injury in his left leg, specifically the semitendinosus muscle. He was diagnosed on April 27, with early expectations already pointing toward a race against time for El Clasico.
Whether he is cleared to play will become clear after the results are reviewed.
Real Madrid’s LaLiga hopes may already be over, but El Clásico remains El Clásico. And for Mbappé, a strong performance in Barcelona could also help rebuild his relationship with parts of the fan base following recent scrutiny.
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