MALAGA, Spain, Nov 23, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti 
said Saturday it was "ugly" to speculate about the mental health of superstar 
striker Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe has scored just one goal in his last seven Madrid games across all 
competitions and is also involved in a multi-million euro pay dispute with 
former club Paris Saint-Germain.

Ancelotti was asked at his weekly press conference if the striker was 
struggling with pressure.

"What a question -- I don't have the impression that he has any mental health 
problems," Ancelotti said.

"I see him as happy to be here, if he is, he doesn't show it, but I think 
speculating about problems of this type is a bit ugly."

The forward was left out of France's squad for recent Nations League matches 
for the second time in two months, and was linked to a rape investigation in 
Sweden, which Mbappe has denied.

France coach Didier Deschamps did not select the 25-year-old for matches 
against Israel and Italy, saying "it was better that way".

Ancelotti said he was confident Mbappe, who joined Madrid this summer at the 
end of his PSG deal, would find the net at the weekend away at minnows 
Leganes.

"There are always bad moments, all the great strikers have been through them, 
but he's motivated and happy, and that's all I can see," continued Ancelotti.

"I'm convinced that he's going to play a great match tomorrow and that all 
this will come to an end.

"He has extraordinary qualities, it's just a matter of time."