Forward has returned to full fitness after recovering from a knee injury
Kylian Mbappe featured off the bench for Real Madrid against Atletico, the second time in a row he had come off the bench after spending three-and-a-half weeks sidelined with a sprained knee.
The injury had lingered since December but was aggravated this month, forcing the France forward to sit out important matches against Manchester City and Atletico, except for those cameos, of course.
But Mbappe insists he is 100% fit now and ready to compete in the best form possible.
“My knee is fine,” Mbappe said. “It’s getting better. It’s going quite well, and I know there’s been a lot of speculation about it and some false things have been said.
“It’s the life of a top athlete, and we’re used to people saying things without verifying them or having any basis in fact.”
A hard-fought victory over Atletico ensured Madrid remain within four points of Barcelona at the top of La Liga, keeping the title race alive heading into the final stretch. In the Champions League, they face Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals after the international break.
For now, Mbappe has joined up with France as they prepare for the summer’s World Cup with friendlies against Brazil and Colombia in the US. Mbappe won the World Cup with France in 2018.
“I prepared for the last two World Cups in the best way possible, which is to play, score goals, win titles, and fight until the last minute for my club,” Mbappe said. “This year I am going to do the same to arrive in top form.”
