Mbappé sprains ankle after extending goal streak
Kylian Mbappé sustained a mild ankle sprain during Real Madrid’s 3-1 LaLiga victory over Villarreal on Saturday and will undergo further assessment ahead of upcoming international fixtures, Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso confirmed. Mbappé scored the third goal in the 81st minute before being substituted in the 83rd minute. The French forward’s strike marked his ninth consecutive game scoring for club and country, a new personal best.
Mbappé’s injury was described as causing “some discomfort,” and Alonso indicated the extent of the injury remains unclear pending evaluation by the French national team’s medical staff as they prepare for World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Iceland later this month. “We hope it isn’t serious. But right now we can’t say anything,” Alonso said during his postmatch press conference.
Despite passing up a penalty opportunity in favor of teammate Vinícius Júnior—who converted the spot kick for his second goal of the game—Alonso reiterated that Mbappé remains Real Madrid’s designated penalty taker. “The players decided, but the taker is Kylian. We believe in him. It was their decision but the first choice is Kylian,” Alonso explained.
The match also highlighted Federico Valverde’s adaptability, with Alonso praising the midfielder’s performance in the right-back role—a position Valverde recently defended following speculation regarding his willingness to play there. Vinícius Júnior’s dynamic attacking display was described as “decisive,” with Alonso noting the winger’s clinical game and positive influence on the squad.
Mbappé’s continued scoring consistency underscores his critical role in Real Madrid’s attacking setup under Alonso, combining his composure and finishing prowess with the team’s tactical demands. The forward’s injury status will be closely monitored as Madrid aim to maintain momentum in LaLiga and Mbappé looks to sustain his prolific form heading into a pivotal phase of the season.