The international window has brought unwelcome news for Real Madrid, with three key squad members picking up injuries while away on national duty. Dean Huijsen was the first to withdraw earlier in the week after sustaining a problem with Spain, and two more players are now set to return to Madrid ahead of schedule.
Kylian Mbappé and Franco Mastantuono both suffered issues during last weekend’s clash with Villarreal. Although their problems were initially considered minor, they were still able to travel to join France and Argentina respectively. However, the situation has since changed for both players.
Mbappé suffers fresh setback with France
Mbappé was cleared to feature for France against Azerbaijan on Friday, but during the match at the Parc des Princes, he took a knock to his right ankle. He was forced off before the final whistle, and following discussions with Didier Deschamps after returning to Clairefontaine, it was confirmed that he would miss France’s next fixture against Iceland on October 13.
The French Football Federation issued an official statement confirming his withdrawal. According to Diario AS, initial indications suggest the injury is not serious, but additional medical checks will be carried out in Madrid. His availability for Real Madrid’s upcoming league match against Getafe remains uncertain.
Mastantuono returns early as precaution
Mastantuono, meanwhile, has not been able to shake off the muscle overload he experienced against Villarreal. He will also travel back to the Spanish capital for further evaluation. Reports indicate that his issue is not severe, and he may be in contention for the trip to Getafe. Nonetheless, head coach Xabi Alonso could choose to manage his return carefully to avoid further complications.
