Kylian Mbappé has addressed recent rumors regarding his knee injury, firmly stating that reports of a misdiagnosis by Real Madrid medical staff are “not true.” Speaking at a press conference in Boston ahead of France’s friendly against Brazil, the captain clarified, “The information saying they examined the wrong knee is not true. I might be indirectly responsible; when you don’t communicate, everyone rushes into the breach – that’s the game. We’ve always had clear communication with Real.”
Mbappé expressed satisfaction with his current physical condition, stating, “I have never been a man or a player who has regrets. What I see is the present, the near future. I am happy to feel good in both my knees. In a way, I also owe it to my club. Very happy to be here, fit and healthy.” He added that his focus during his early January absence was on the team’s success, noting that the club proved it could win without him.
France vs. Brazil: Match Preview and Team News
The French national team is set to face Brazil in a highly anticipated friendly match this Thursday at 9 PM French time (3 PM ET) in Foxborough, near Boston. This encounter is part of the Bleus’ preparations for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
Coach Didier Deschamps is expected to field a dynamic attacking lineup, potentially featuring four offensive players. The probable starting XI indicates a strong formation:
- Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan (earning his 38th cap)
- Defense: Gusto, Upamecano, Konaté, Théo Hernandez
- Midfield: Aurélien Tchouaméni, Adrien Rabiot
- Attack: Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Désiré Doué, Kylian Mbappé
Deschamps indicated that Mbappé will play a significant role but not the full match, possibly around an hour. “He can start, but not play the whole match. He can come on, like the other 24 players. He’s part of this consideration. Each player has a particular situation,” the coach stated.
The match will be officiated by an all-American refereeing team, led by Guido Gonzales Jr., assisted by Nick Uranga and Cory Richardson, with Armando Villarreal as the fourth official.
Team Logistics and Tour Updates
The French team has chosen Bentley University as their training camp base during their stay in the US, located about 30 minutes by bus from their hotel. This decision came after financial negotiations with Babson College reportedly fell through due to excessive demands, making Bentley their preferred “Plan B.”
The Gillette Stadium is expected to be nearly sold out for the France-Brazil clash, with approximately 61,000 spectators anticipated. This American tour is also a significant marketing opportunity for the French national team brand.
In other news, Brazilian midfielder Fabinho recently stated that he still considers Karim Benzema the best French number nine currently active, despite Benzema’s last national team appearance dating back to June 2022. On the Brazilian side, their squad faces injury concerns, with PSG defender Marquinhos officially ruled out for the match against France due to a muscle issue.
During the press conference, Mbappé also touched upon the dream of winning the World Cup as captain, acknowledging its immense difficulty and rarity. He expressed little concern about being seen as the “star of the World Cup,” emphasizing that such a title “doesn’t bring trophies.”
