Real Madrid's Mbappé Sustains Minor Injury in Villarreal Victory, Alonso Provides Update

Real Madrid secured a 3-1 victory over Villarreal, with Vinícius Junior scoring twice and Kylian Mbappé adding a goal, helping the team regain the top spot in La Liga ahead of Barcelona's upcoming match. Despite controversy over Vinícius taking a penalty instead of Mbappé, coach Xabi Alonso praised Vinícius's performance and emphasized that Mbappé remains the designated penalty taker. Mbappé was substituted due to ankle discomfort and will be monitored along with Franco Mastantuono, who has a hamstring strain; both players are expected to join their national teams for upcoming international fixtures. Alonso described Mbappé's injury as mild and reiterated that the club and national teams will assess their conditions further. Additionally, coach Alonso commended Federico Valverde for his adaptability and strong performance playing out of position. Overall, the win marked a positive moment for Real Madrid as they aim to maintain momentum in the season.