Bullet dodged! Mbappe and Konate will be back much sooner than feared

Real Madrid can breathe again: Kylian Mbappe and Ibrahima Konate are expected to return in time for the Villarreal clash on October 10.

Details: Fears of a long absence have proven unfounded. Mbappe suffered a hyperextension of his left knee while scoring in France's win over Turkiye, with some voices speculating he could be out for months. Instead, the injury will reportedly keep him sidelined for around two weeks. Konate, who also left the France camp with a minor knee problem, is expected to recover on the same timeline.

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The timing is a blessing in disguise. The October international window means Madrid play sparingly in the coming days, and by the time La Liga resumes with Villarreal's visit to the Bernabeu, both French internationals should be ready. For a squad already without captain Federico Valverde for several weeks after the derby, avoiding a long term loss of its biggest star is massive news for Jose Mourinho's project. Madrid's season stumbled in the derby, and the return of Mbappe and Konate could be the reset button they need.

It's worth noting how quickly the narrative flipped: 48 hours ago, Madridistas were bracing for months without Mbappe, today they are counting down two weeks. Football's mood swings have rarely been this fast.

Reminder: Blow for Zidane! Mbappé leaves France camp after knee injury