Injured and unable to play, Mbappe still refuses to leave the national team.

Kylian Mbappe continues to stay with the French national team even though he has an ankle injury.

Kylian Mbappe keeps training with the French team despite having an ankle problem, causing concern for Real Madrid as El Clasico approaches.

The French star got injured during Real Madrid's victory over Villarreal last weekend. After the match, the club doctors examined him and classified the injury as minor. However, Mbappe was advised to limit intense activity for a few days to avoid worsening the condition.

Sources from the French team indicate that Mbappe’s condition is not severe enough to withdraw, but his participation in Friday’s match against Azerbaijan remains uncertain. The Les Bleus coaching staff will wait a few more days to assess the injury’s response before making a final decision.

Despite this, the 26-year-old forward has joined the French squad at the Clairefontaine training center to prepare for two World Cup 2026 European qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Iceland. According to Marca, Mbappe has not yet rejoined full team training and is only doing individual recovery exercises in the gym and on a secondary pitch.

In the latest press conference, coach Didier Deschamps reassured fans by confirming that his captain’s condition is under control:

“He only feels a slight discomfort, nothing serious. If it were a serious injury, Mbappe wouldn’t be here. So far, I haven’t received any information indicating a worsening condition. If anything changes, we will inform immediately.”

Although Deschamps remains optimistic, Real Madrid is closely monitoring Mbappe’s situation. Insider sources reveal the club fears that if the forward plays before fully recovering, the injury could reoccur and impact his performance during a crucial period.

The concern is justified as less than three weeks remain before Real Madrid faces Barcelona in the first leg of the 2025/26 El Clasico, a match that could heavily influence the La Liga title race. Coach Xabi Alonso views Mbappe as an irreplaceable attacking asset, having scored 11 goals and provided 5 assists this season.

Mbappe is expected to stay with the French team for rehabilitation and will only return to full training once fully healthy. Real Madrid has not requested an early return, but their medical staff maintains regular contact with Les Bleus to stay updated on his condition.

If no unexpected developments occur, Mbappe will likely be rested by Deschamps in the Azerbaijan match, with his availability for the Iceland game to be evaluated later.