The controversy is not likely to die down: French striker Kylian Mbappé, not called up for the French team after his left thigh injury, participated in Real Madrid’s success against Villarreal (2-0) in La Liga on Saturday, this who questions his absence in Blue.
Surprise starter at kick-off when he was not yet 100% recovered from his muscle injury according to his coach Carlo Ancelotti, the captain of the Blues, absent from Didier Deschamps’ list for the two Nations League matches against Israel (October 10) and Belgium (October 14), was not decisive but showed good form before leaving to the applause of the Santiago Bernabéu in the 70th minute.
The reigning Spanish champion, collectively much more in place than in Lille on Wednesday (1-0), where he conceded his first defeat since January 2024, established himself in management thanks to a great strike from his Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde (14th, 1-0) and a cannon shot from the Brazilian Vinicius Junior (73rd, 2-0) to continue his impressive series of 41 games without defeat in the league.
In terms of accounting, Real (2nd, 21 points) returns to the level of its great rival FC Barcelona (1st, also 21 points), which must return to success on Sunday at Alavés (4:15 p.m.) after its first setback against Osasuna (4-2) last weekend.
Author of a convincing start to the season, Villarreal (3rd, 17 points) maintains its place on the podium before the trip of Atlético Madrid (4th, 16 points) to San Sebastián to challenge Real Sociedad (15th, 8 points ).
The Madrid players finished the match dejected after the indestructible Dani Carvajal was stretchered out, injured in the right knee in a collision with his teammate Yeremy Pino (90th + 6).
His coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed at a press conference that the Spanish full-back was suffering from “a fairly serious knee injury” and that the locker room was “sad and worried” for his vice-captain, who left in tears.
The Italian technician also explained that Vinicius was injured in the neck and would undergo examinations tomorrow to find out the extent of his injury.
