It hasn't been an easy summer for Ferland Mendy, who is still yet to return to full training ever since he forced himself to rush back for Real Madrid's Champions League semi-final against Chelsea.
That day, Mendy pushed his body and ended up with an injury called tibial periostitis, which is caused by irritation and inflammation of the muscles, tendons and bones of the lower leg.
He remains in rehabilitation and hopes to be back by September, already resigned to missing the start of the LaLiga Santander season.
Photos of Mendy training alone at Valdebebas have caused alarm among fans who have noticed the significant loss of muscle mass, but it is typical for such an injury.
After missing Euro 2020, Real Madrid's medical services have been helping the left-back to recover.
The Frenchman is pushing for a pay rise at Real Madrid, but is not forcing the topic and negotiations are ongoing, meaning that his place in the team is not at risk.
Neither Mendy nor Carlo Ancelotti see his future being away from Madrid, but there are plenty of other sides monitoring the situation and willing to pay as much as 50 million euros.
Florentino Perez is willing to listen to offers for almost any player, as Raphael Varane's exit proves, but he won't force any players out of the club either.
Mendy signed a six-year contract in 2019 and wants to stay at the club, knowing that he faces competition from the team's captain Marcelo and impressive youngster Miguel Gutierrez.