Mbappé fires back
Kylian Mbappé publicly pushed back on critics and invoked Cristiano Ronaldo’s tournament prep — he says he’s intent on proving doubters wrong as Real Madrid heads into the Champions League quarterfinals. Real’s squad picture has a wrinkle: Vinícius Jr. missed Brazil training with a thigh concern that could affect club availability, and Leg 1 of the quarterfinals is scheduled for April 14 on Paramount+. (worldsoccertalk.com) (khelnow.com) (film-book.com)
Mbappé publicly denied reports that Real Madrid scanned the “wrong knee,” calling the story false in comments made to media on March 25–26 ahead of France’s friendly with Brazil. (espn.com) He opened the scoring as France beat Brazil 2-1 at Gillette Stadium on March 26, a match played before a crowd of roughly 66,215. (espn.com) The misdiagnosis narrative drew wide coverage across outlets and Mbappé stressed his relationship with Real Madrid’s medical staff remains transparent while pushing back on the reports. (foxsports.com) Meanwhile Vinícius Júnior skipped full Brazil training after the France game because of thigh soreness, managing only limited gym work before treatment and being described as a doubt for Brazil’s March 31 friendly with Croatia. (khelnow.com) Real Madrid’s Champions League quarter‑final against Bayern Munich has been fixed with the first leg in Madrid on April 7, 2026 and the return in Munich on April 15, 2026, and Paramount+ holds U.S. streaming rights for the knockout fixtures. (uefa.com) Mbappé enters that tie as the 2025–26 Champions League top scorer with 13 goals in nine appearances, a tally UEFA lists as three clear of the next players. (uefa.com)
