Kylian Mbappe steps up recovery with solo Real Madrid training after knee injury

Kylian Mbappe has resumed individual training with Real Madrid after a 10-day absence, as he continues his recovery from a left knee injury with the aim of facing Villarreal on Saturday.

The France forward arrived back in Madrid on Monday, around an hour after Real Madrid had restarted training under manager Jose Mourinho. Mbappe had begun working at home before completing a separate session in the afternoon at Real Madrid City.

It was his first training session on the Valdebebas pitch since the international break, according to Marca. He worked alone, combining exercises in the gym with work on the field, both with and without the ball.

The session was viewed as an indication that his knee is responding well to the rehabilitation programme. Mbappe is now targeting Real Madrid’s La Liga meeting with Villarreal at Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, in the eighth round of the season.

Mbappe had been away from Spain for 10 days after suffering the injury to his left knee on 25 September. It occurred during France’s opening match of the international break.

He underwent a medical examination at Valdebebas on 26 September, after which he was allowed to continue his recovery away from Real Madrid’s training ground. The arrangement was approved by both the club and Mourinho.

The injury caused concern at Real Madrid because it affected the same knee that had given Mbappe several problems last season. His treatment also became a subject of debate at the time, after the forward sought a second medical opinion outside Spain.

Mbappe spent those days away from Valdebebas during that process. Although Real Madrid had agreed to the trip, his absence prompted some concern within the club.