-myKhel Team

Kylian Mbappe has rejected reports exaggerating his knee injury and says he is ready to feature in every Real Madrid match before the World Cup, while also targeting another global title with France later this year.

Madrid announced at the start of March that Mbappe had aggravated a problem first suffered in December, but confirmed surgery was not planned. Mbappe then sat out five games before returning as a substitute in the Champions League last-16 second leg against Manchester City.

Mbappe again came off the bench on Sunday, when Alvaro Arbeloa’s side defeated Atletico Madrid 3-2 despite a late red card for Federico Valverde. Before that derby, Arbeloa faced questions about Mbappe’s condition and France call-up, after Didier Deschamps included the forward for upcoming friendlies.

Speaking to AS, Mbappe addressed the rumours around the knee problem and stressed that he feels fully competitive for club and country. Mbappe said: “My knee is fine. 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. 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, and this year I am going to do the same to arrive in top form.”

Despite the setback, Mbappe has maintained high numbers for Real Madrid since last year’s Club World Cup. Mbappe has 38 goals and five assists from 35 matches in that period. Among players in Europe’s top five leagues, only Harry Kane has more, with 48 goals and five assists.

France have planned a busy build-up to the World Cup, and Deschamps expects Mbappe to feature strongly. France face Brazil in Foxborough on Thursday, then Colombia in Landover on Sunday, both in the United States. Two further friendlies follow in June, against Ivory Coast and another European team still to be confirmed.

France open their World Cup Group I campaign against Senegal on 16 June, and Mbappe aims to arrive fully sharp after playing regularly for Real Madrid. The forward plans to use the remaining club fixtures and four international friendlies as preparation for a bid to win a second World Cup.

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