Following World Cup final heartbreak, Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe returned to the French capital, swiftly returning to the club’s training site.
Kylian Mbappe has returned to PSG training after refusing a vacation following his World Cup tragedy.
When Ligue 1 returns next Wednsday, the Golden Boot winner might face Strasbourg (Dec 28). The France great scored three goals in the World Cup final, but it was not enough to prevent Argentina from winning a penalty shootout.
While the Argentines are rejoicing in their birthplace, Mbappe was spotted arriving at the PSG training grounds at Camp des Loges.
Footage published by the club’s social media team showed him being put through a series of fitness tests. According to French media, he has informed the Ligue 1 leaders that he wishes to play next week.
“I’m really glad to see him,” PSG coach Christophe Gaultier remarked after today’s 3-1 friendly win over Quevilly Rouen Métropole. Kylian had a fantastic World Cup.
“It’s also a powerful indication for everyone that a player who was obviously sad not to win the most beautiful of trophies, even if he was top scorer, is back with the group very fast, to get ready for next dates.”
Mbappe gave a fiery response to France’s tragedy in Qatar, tweeting “we will be back” on social media. On Tuesday, the forward celebrated his 24th birthday before returning to the club’s training facilities.
Achraf Hakimi, a close friend and teammate, was also seen returning to training. Hakimi, like Mbappe, had a fantastic World Cup, guiding Morocco to the semi-finals before losing to France.
Messi, who took part in the celebrations in Buenos Aires earlier this week, appears to be getting a bit longer rest. After finally completing his long quest for a World Cup, the 35-year-old released an emotional message, dedicating the title to the great Diego Maradona.
“I’d always wanted to be a World Champion and I didn’t want to quit up, even knowing that maybe I’d never give up,” he wrote on social media.
“This Cup we received is also from all those who did not make it in the previous World Cups we played, as in 2014 in Brazil, where they all deserved it for how they fought to the same final, worked hard and wanted it as much as I did. Even with that horrible conclusion, we deserved it. It was also Diego who cheered us from above.”
Galtier hasn’t said when the Argentine striker would return to PSG training, but he’s unlikely to play in their top-of-the-table encounter with Lens on January 1. The French champions are five points clear at the top of Ligue 1, and a win over their nearest rivals would go a long way toward clinching yet another crown.
There will be plenty of time for Mbappe and Messi to get back to full pace for their first priority – the Champions League knockout stages. PSG will face Bayern Munich in the opening leg of their round-of-16 encounter on February 14, with their season nearly entirely riding on their performance in the competition.