Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti addressed Kylian Mbappe’s recent visit to Stockholm and stated, “I don’t have a travel agency to organise the player’s trips” at a prematch press conference on Friday.
Mbappe traveled to the Swedish capital over the international break, with local authorities confirming that a prosecutor is looking into a report of a suspected rape there without anyone in connection to the case being named.
The France star called reports about the accusation “fake news” on X, formerly known as Twitter, amid his lawyer saying the striker is “astonished” to see his name being linked to a rape inquiry by the media.
Ahead of Madrid’s match against Celta Vigo at the Bernabeu on Saturday, Ancelotti was asked what he thought about Mbappe’s expedition and whether the player had told him he was leaving Spain.
“The rest days were scheduled for him and then everyone chooses what they want to do,” Ancelotti said. “I went to London for two days and I haven’t asked anyone’s permission. I also don’t have a travel agency to organise the players’ trips.”
After he nursed a muscle injury last month, Mbappe is now “close to 100%” according to Ancelotti, who added that “it’s a pleasure to watch him train”.
“He’s taken advantage of the break to improve his condition,” Ancelotti revealed. “He’s very well, happy, and looking forward to returning tomorrow and being important for the team. These 15 days have helped him a lot, because he is a different player to what he was before the break.”
Probed on whether Mbappe is “affected” by the inquiry, Ancelotti said: “I talk to the players every day. I can comment on what I said before, which at this point is speculation. I don’t see him affected at all, [and instead] with a lot of enthusiasm to contribute to the team.
Ancelotti stressed that he has only worked with Mbappe on a “physical” level.
“On a tactical level, his position does not change from how he has played in recent games. He can vary his position on the left wing with Vinicius, but we have been focused on physical work. This break has been good for him and I see him very well,” Ancelotti reiterated.
Away at Celta then, Mbappe looks set to continue as a central number 9 with Vinicius to his left and most probably Rodrygo to his right.
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