Kylian Mbappe has returned to training at Paris Saint-Germain after refusing a holiday following his World Cup heartbreak.
And the Golden Boot winner could play against Strasbourg when Ligue 1 resumes next Wednesday (Dec 28). The France star scored three times in the World Cup final on Sunday but could not stop Lionel Messi ’s Argentina team winning a penalty shootout.
But while the Argentines are back celebrating wildly in their homeland, Mbappe was photographed arriving at the PSG training ground at Camp des Loges today.
Footage released by the club’s social media team showed him being put through his paces, completing a series of fitness tests. And French media report that he has told the Ligue 1 leaders that he wants to play next week.
Speaking after a 3-1 friendly win over Quevilly Rouen Métropole today, PSG coach Christophe Gaultier said: "I'm very happy to see him. Kylian had a great World Cup.
"It's also a strong signal for everyone that a player who obviously may have been disappointed not to lift the most beautiful of trophies, even if he was top scorer, is back very quickly with the group, to get ready for dates to come."
Mbappe issued a defiant response following France’s heartbreak in Qatar, writing “we will be back” on social media. The forward turned 24 on Tuesday and enjoyed his birthday celebrations before returning to the club’s training complex.
His close friend and team-mate Achraf Hakimi was also pictured returning to training. Like Mbappe, Hakimi enjoyed a brilliant World Cup, helping Morocco to the semi final before eventually succumbing to France.
As for Messi, it appears he will be given a slightly longer break, having been a part of the celebrations in Buenos Aires at the start of this week. The 35-year-old issued an emotional statement after finally ending his long wait for a World Cup, dedicating the victory to the great Diego Maradona.
"I always had a dream of being a World Champion and I didn't want to stop trying, even knowing that maybe I would never give up," he posted on social media.
"This Cup we got is also from all those who did not make it in the previous World Cups we played, like in 2014 in Brazil, where they all deserved it for how they fought until the same final, worked hard and wanted it as much as I did. And we deserved it even in that damn ending. It's also from Diego who encouraged us from heaven."
Galtier hasn't confirmed when the Argentine striker will return to PSG training, but it appears highly unlikely he will feature in their top-of-the-table clash vs Lens on January 1. The French champions find themselves five points clear at the top of Ligue 1, with a win over their nearest rivals set to go a long way to securing yet another title.
There is then plenty of time for the likes of Mbappe and Messi to be back up to full speed for their top priority - the Champions League knockout stages. PSG face Bayern Munich on February 14 for the first leg of their round-of-16 tie, with their season almost entirely dependent on their progress in the competition.
