Mbappé begins ball work, eyeing Villarreal and 25 October Clásico

📰 Mbappé, who injured his knee, has begun individual rehab at Real Madrid's training ground and is aiming to return against Villarreal on 10 October. His involvement, however, is not yet confirmed. 📌 Key points 🩹 The diagnosis is hyperextension of the posterior capsule of the left knee. ⚽ He was injured in the very move in which he scored the winner against Türkiye. 🏃 He returned to Valdebebas on 5 October and did individual work with the ball. 🗓️ The Villarreal game on the 10th is mentioned as his target for a return. 🏟️ The biggest test of the season is El Clásico on the 25th. 📝 What happened ⚽ Mbappé scored the 1-0 winner for France against Türkiye in the Nations League on 25 September. But he injured his left knee in that move and limped off the pitch straight after scoring. It was his 67th goal for France. 🩹 Real Madrid announced the official diagnosis the next day as hyperextension of the posterior capsule of the left knee. The club did not give a return date, but Goal and others reported that he would not need surgery and should recover in around ten days. 🏃 Having spent some time recovering outside Madrid with the club's permission, Mbappé returned to the Valdebebas training ground on 5 October. According to Football España, he did indoor gym work and physiotherapy, followed by training on the pitch with the ball. However, this does not mean a full return to team training or clearance to play, and his availability against Villarreal will depend on how his recovery goes over the coming days. 🗓️ Spanish media had earlier reported that rather than forcing a return against Villarreal, Real were focusing on the trip to the Camp Nou on 25 October. As well as Mbappé, Raúl Asencio, Konaté, Mendy, Valverde and Rodrygo are also in rehab at Real. 📊 By the numbers • France 1-0 Türkiye, Mbappé winner • Mbappé: 67 goals for France • Individual rehab resumed: 5 October (10 days after the injury) • La Liga gap: Barcelona +6 points 🔭 Why it matters Six points behind, Real see the Clásico as a turning point in their pursuit of the leaders. Having Mbappé back for Villarreal would be a big boost, but rushing him back and suffering a recurrence could mean missing the season's biggest game. Real face Villarreal on the 10th, Roma on the 14th and Barcelona on the 25th.