Mbappe in good spirits after difficult spell, says Konate
France captain Kylian Mbappe had put a difficult period behind him and is focused on helping his team ahead of Nations League fixtures against Italy and Turkey, defender Ibrahima Konate said. Mbappe has returned to the France squad after missing their last three matches through injury, having failed to win the Ballon d’Or award and attracting criticism in China over his comments relating to Mao…
France captain Kylian Mbappe has emerged from a challenging period and is looking forward to assisting his national team in upcoming Nations League matches against Italy and Turkey, according to defender Ibrahima Konate. The 27-year-old Real Madrid forward returned to the France squad following a three-match injury layoff, having also faced criticism in China over his Mao Zedong-related comments and subsequent apology.
Konate praised Mbappe's current state, stating he appears "in a very good frame of mind" and "decisive" in recent performances. The forward narrowly missed out on the Ballon d’Or award, with England's Harry Kane taking the top spot. Additionally, Mbappe had to issue an apology for remarks made in an interview, where he referred to an online meme featuring his likeness alongside an image of Mao.
The controversy led to a backlash in China, with several brands severing commercial ties with Mbappe and Spanish league matches being removed from state broadcaster CCTV's lineup. Konate, a fellow Real Madrid player and trusted confidant, emphasized that the World Cup winner responded to the setback in his characteristic competitive manner, immediately resuming his focus during training sessions.
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