Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé is clear about his intentions

Kylian Mbappé is expected to be included in Didier Deschamps’ squad for France’s upcoming games in the United States during the March international break – against Brazil on March 26 and Colombia on March 29. The forward is currently dealing with a knee sprain that has limited him from competing at full capacity, although in France it is widely assumed he will still join his teammates for the final window before the World Cup.

According to L’Équipe, the captain of Les Bleus traveling to the United States does not necessarily mean he will play in both games. His presence is largely tied to commercial commitments, with Nike and other sponsors expecting him to take part in several promotional activities aimed at expanding the brand’s reach in the U.S. market. If he does not travel, the financial losses would be significant, which is why both sides prefer that the Real Madrid international be present on the American tour, even if he is still recovering.

Mbappé’s knee injury has already raised concerns in France. With only a few months remaining before the start of the World Cup, his potential absence would be a major blow for Didier Deschamps’ team. As confirmed by people close to the player to AFP, the forward – who traveled to Paris on Monday – will undergo a conservative treatment plan that for now avoids surgery. Still, no one can guarantee he will arrive at the World Cup in peak condition.

Mbappé is determined to play – and win – the World Cup and will not risk worsening the injury. Aware that a relapse could cost him the chance to appear in a third World Cup, the French star decided last week to step back. Even if that means missing both Champions League games against Manchester City – a crucial tie for Real Madrid’s ambitions this season – his recovery now takes priority to prevent the discomfort from intensifying and jeopardizing his participation in international soccer’s biggest tournament.

Neither Deschamps nor the French national team’s medical staff, who are closely monitoring his treatment, intend to take risks during the March break. If he is not fully fit, he will not play against either Brazil or Colombia. Even so, it appears almost inevitable that Mbappé will board the plane with the rest of the squad because his contract includes several commercial obligations. With no clear timeline yet for his recovery, it remains difficult to determine exactly what condition he will be in when he arrives in the United States.

The goal for the French Football Federation and Deschamps is clear: to have Mbappé at full strength for the World Cup. He is France’s star, its captain, the second-highest scorer in the country’s history and an irreplaceable figure in the eyes of the coaching staff. At the last European Championship, a broken nose prevented him from performing at his best. That precedent still lingers for the World Cup runner-up, which hopes to avoid a similar scenario given the ongoing discomfort in his left knee as France aims to secure a third star in the United States.

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