Kylian Mbappé is back in the spotlight as Real Madrid prepares to play again on Saturday after a challenging week. Swedish media reported that the France captain was involved in a rape investigation following a visit to Stockholm, but his legal team has denied these claims as false.
After training with his teammates on Wednesday, Mbappé shared a video of himself scoring during practice with the caption, “We keep on working. Hala Madrid!”
The 25-year-old is expected to play for Madrid when they visit Celta Vigo on Saturday in La Liga.
Mbappé is facing a significant challenge in his career due to the reports of a rape investigation in Sweden, where he had a short stay last week during his break from club and national team duties.
Swedish media reported that he was under investigation without citing specific sources. His representatives have called these reports “false and irresponsible.”
On Tuesday, Swedish prosecutors released a brief statement saying that a rape had been reported to the police, but they did not name any suspects.
Mbappé had a left thigh injury in late September but missed only one game for Madrid. He returned as a substitute in a surprising 1-0 loss to Lille in the Champions League and then started in a 2-0 win over Villarreal in La Liga.
France coach Didier Deschamps had already dropped Mbappé from the squad for the previous week’s international matches before he returned to the field for Madrid. As a result, Mbappé did not play for France in Nations League wins against Israel and Belgium.
A World Cup winner, Mbappé joined Madrid in June after leaving Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent.
Madrid’s match in Vigo is just the start of a tough schedule, with games against Borussia Dortmund at home in the Champions League, Barcelona at home, and Valencia away in La Liga, followed by AC Milan at home in the Champions League.
Madrid is currently in second place in La Liga, three points behind Barcelona after nine matches.
Madrid will be missing right back Dani Carvajal, who is out with a long-term leg injury, and Vinícius Júnior, who missed Brazil’s game last week due to a neck injury.
Barcelona will host Sevilla on Sunday, while third-placed Atletico Madrid will face Leganes.
Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal is questionable for the game after suffering a muscle strain while playing for Spain.
