Injured and Ballon d'Or favourite, Mbappé could fracture Real Madrid's dressing room

Kylian Mbappé left the France squad early, forced to withdraw due to a left thigh injury sustained on Friday during the match against Turkey (1-0). The 27-year-old striker is now in the hands of Real Madrid’s medical staff, who hope to have him back for La Liga’s resumption on 10 October against Villarreal.

His absence from the France group comes as the Ballon d’Or campaign is in full swing. The ceremony is set for 26 October in London, and Mbappé is among the leading contenders. Julien Faubert, a former French international and ex-Real Madrid player, believes the Frenchman deserves the trophy, but worries about the repercussions of such an honour within the Merengue dressing room.

« Today, I struggle to see how he wouldn’t have it, objectively, » Faubert told Journal du Real. « Despite the World Cup, I don’t see a Spaniard having it except perhaps Fabian Ruiz or Lamine Yamal. It’s going to be tight, but I’m also afraid of the consequences. »

The former Bordeaux player elaborates on his concern: a Ballon d’Or awarded to Mbappé could shift the balance in a dressing room already laden with egos. « I’m thinking about the consequences for Madrid. The consequences are playing poorly, overplaying, wanting to assume and impose your status through attempts that don’t respect the game, » he fears. « What aura will he have in the dressing room? Will his behaviour change? We’re in a dressing room where there are enormous egos. »

Faubert particularly points to the relationship with Vinicius Jr, who is also among the Ballon d’Or contenders. « Could he be envied by Vinicius or others? It can create positive emulation just as it can create tensions that already exist and completely demoralize the dressing room. » A prospect Real Madrid would gladly do without, as the season enters a decisive phase.