Mbappé contradicts reports of knee mix-up

Kylian Mbappé has denied reports of an embarrassing mistake by Real Madrid doctors. “The information that the wrong knee was examined is not true,” said the French footballer in the USA at a national team press conference before the friendly against Brazil.

Spanish and French media had previously reported that the Spanish record champions’ doctors had examined the striker, who was suffering from pain, on the wrong knee in December. The newspaper The Country and the journal Mark wrote that they had unequivocally confirmed the revelation by the French broadcaster “RMC Sport”.

Mbappé said he may be partly to blame for the false allegations. “Because if you don’t communicate what you’re missing and what’s important, then that leaves the door open for interpretation and everyone tries to fill the gaps,” said the 27-year-old offensive player.

The French journalist Daniel Riolo said on Tuesday on the “RMC” program “After Foot” that Real’s doctors had simply made a mistake about the knee and therefore made a wrong diagnosis. “An MRI scan was performed on his right leg, although he was experiencing pain on his left leg,” it said. This “really upset” the captain of the Équipe de France when he found out about it.

Mbappé, who was injured in Real’s home defeat against Celta de Vigo (0-2) on December 7th, came on as a substitute after a long break at Real in the victories against Manchester City (2-1) on March 17th and on Sunday against Atlético Madrid (3-2). He is expected to play in the French national team’s World Cup friendly against Brazil on Thursday in Boston and against Colombia in Landover near Washington on Sunday. “I’m very happy that I’m here, that I’m available and completely fit. I’m ready to play and will be right from the start if I’m needed,” said Mbappé.