Real Madrid find themselves walking a fine line during the current international break. Two of their key stars — Kylian Mbappé and Franco Mastantuono — are reportedly nursing minor injuries but still risk being called up by their respective national teams. The situation has caused serious anxiety among the Los Blancos hierarchy, who are desperate to avoid any further complications.
Both players picked up knocks during Madrid’s 3–1 victory over Villarreal, prompting the club’s medical team to recommend rest rather than travel for international duty. However, the final decision now rests with the medical staff and coaches of France and Argentina. For Madrid, the danger is clear: even a small aggravation could derail their plans ahead of a packed fixture calendar.
Barcelona recently went through a similar scare with Lamine Yamal, who was withdrawn from Spain’s squad due to a groin injury. Madrid are hoping history doesn’t repeat itself, especially with less than a month remaining before the season’s first El Clásico showdown against Barcelona.
Alonso Uses the Break to Heal the Squad — Mentally and Physically
While Mbappé and Mastantuono undergo evaluation, several senior players have been granted a valuable rest period. Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde, and Jude Bellingham were all left out of their national teams’ call-ups despite being fully fit, giving manager Xabi Alonso the opportunity to reset his squad both physically and mentally.
The break comes at a perfect time. Madrid were still reeling from a humiliating 2–5 defeat to Atlético Madrid, their worst loss of the Alonso era so far. The defeat reportedly triggered minor tensions in the locker room, with some players feeling uneasy about positional and tactical shifts introduced by the new coach.
Federico Valverde admitted the team struggled to recover emotionally after the derby setback.
“It was a heavy blow. We had long talks and agreed to change our mindset and rebuild our focus as a team,” Valverde said.
To his credit, Alonso handled the crisis calmly. He responded with tactical refinement and renewed motivation, guiding Madrid to back-to-back victories over Kairat and Villarreal.
Those two wins were more than just results — they symbolized the rebirth of team unity. Madrid scored eight goals and conceded only once across both matches, proving Alonso’s tactical evolution is paying off.
Now, consistency is the next big challenge. Madrid are about to face five high-stakes matches in quick succession: against Getafe, Juventus, Barcelona, Valencia, and Liverpool. Alonso views the break not as downtime, but as an essential phase to strengthen team chemistry and fix existing flaws.
“Trust and connection are everything,” Alonso told reporters. “We need everyone moving in the same rhythm if we want to achieve greatness.”
Mbappé–Güler Partnership Shines, Vinícius Jr. Back to His Best
Despite the injury concerns, Real Madrid fans have had reasons to celebrate this season — notably the sparkling partnership between Arda Güler and Kylian Mbappé. Their on-field chemistry has become one of the most dangerous attacking combinations in Europe.
Güler has already provided four assists for Mbappé — more than any other Madrid player — while the French captain has contributed 14 of the team’s 25 goals so far this season.
Yet, the standout performer against Villarreal was Vinícius Júnior, who delivered one of his finest games of 2025. The Brazilian winger netted two goals, completed six successful dribbles, and created six goal-scoring chances, single-handedly tormenting the opposition defense.
Vinícius even forced a red card for defender Santiago Mourino, coming close to securing a hat-trick. Notably, Mbappé handed him the penalty in the 69th minute so Vinícius could complete his brace — a gesture that underlined their growing camaraderie.
After the match, Mbappé posted a photo with Vinícius on social media, captioned:
“Always on your side.”
The post silenced recent comparisons made by Atlético captain Koke, who had claimed Mbappé was superior to Vinícius. The Brazilian winger has since channeled that criticism into motivation.
Having now played three full La Liga games in a row, Vinícius looks sharper than ever. Alonso praised his mental and physical revival, calling it a “key sign” that Vinícius is ready to carry Madrid through the decisive stretch of the campaign.
Defensive Concerns: Madrid Awaiting Key Recoveries
Beyond the attacking department, Real Madrid are still dealing with injury setbacks in defense. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal, and Ferland Mendy remain on the recovery list, and their returns could be crucial for Madrid’s stability.
Alexander-Arnold, who suffered a hamstring injury against Marseille, is expected to miss up to six weeks — likely returning just in time for the Champions League clash against Liverpool, his former club.
Meanwhile, Carvajal is nursing a calf issue but aims to make his comeback in El Clásico, though his participation is still uncertain.
The situation surrounding Mendy remains the most mysterious. The French full-back has not featured at all this season after undergoing thigh surgery in April. He continues to train separately, but medical reports suggest his rehabilitation is progressing well.
Their eventual return will significantly boost Madrid’s backline depth, something Alonso will desperately need as the team heads into one of the most challenging stretches of the season.
Madrid’s Focus: Stability, Recovery, and Momentum
With the international break offering a rare pause in an intense season, Real Madrid’s immediate goal is clear — protect their stars, regain balance, and prepare for the storm ahead.
Mbappé and Mastantuono’s fitness updates will be closely monitored, while Alonso works behind the scenes to ensure team unity and confidence remain intact.
If Madrid can emerge from this period healthy and focused, they’ll enter the coming fixtures not just as contenders — but as a formidable force ready to reclaim their dominance in both La Liga and the Champions League.
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