Kylian Mbappé Faces Recovery Period Due to Knee Injury

According to L’Equipe, Kylian Mbappé has been managing a knee ligament injury for several weeks, initially believing it to be a minor concern. However, an MRI scan conducted on Wednesday revealed a ligament lesion that necessitates treatment and a rest period of at least three weeks. This diagnosis compelled Mbappé to acknowledge that continuing to play would no longer be sustainable, particularly as he had begun to feel restricted in his acceleration during recent matches. The warning signs had been evident, as he was notably left as an unused substitute during Real Madrid’s Champions League match against Manchester City. Despite his competitive nature, he has been advised that pausing now is crucial to prevent more serious long-term complications.

Real Madrid has released a statement confirming the injury, stating: “Following tests conducted today by the Real Madrid Medical Services on our player Kylian Mbappé, he has been diagnosed with a sprain in his left knee. His progress will be monitored.”

This diagnosis comes just days after what should have been a celebratory highlight for Mbappé, as he marked his 27th birthday by scoring a crucial late penalty that secured a 2-0 victory over Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabéu. Jude Bellingham had earlier put Real Madrid in the lead before Sevilla was reduced to ten men due to Marcao’s dismissal for a mistimed challenge on Bellingham. With four minutes remaining, Mbappé converted a penalty awarded after Juanlu Sanchez fouled Rodrygo, calmly sending goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos the wrong way. This goal marked Mbappé’s 59th club goal of the calendar year, equaling Cristiano Ronaldo’s legendary tally from 2013, a record long considered unassailable at Madrid.

Following the match, Mbappé celebrated by mimicking Ronaldo’s iconic ‘Siu’ pose. In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, he expressed his admiration for his childhood hero, stating: “It’s incredible, in my first [full] year to be able to do what Cristiano did. He’s my idol, the best player in Real Madrid’s history. The celebration is for him. I wanted to give him a shout-out because he’s always been good to me, he’s helped me adapt to Madrid, and now it’s great to help Madrid win games. Today I wanted to share that with him. I have a very good relationship with him; he’s my friend now. I send my best wishes to him and all Madrid fans, and a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It’s a special day because it’s my birthday. I’ve always said since I was little that it’s a dream to play a professional match on my birthday, and even more so for my dream team. The goal was to finish the year with a win.”

Mbappé’s injury will exclude him from Real Madrid’s first competitive match of 2026 against Real Betis on Sunday, and he is also set to miss the Supercopa de España, which will take place in the Middle East. This is a significant setback for head coach Xabi Alonso, who was looking forward to claiming his first trophy in charge of Real Madrid. Instead, he must prepare for the semi-finals against city rivals Atletico Madrid without his star forward, with a potential final against Barcelona also on the horizon. Furthermore, Mbappé is expected to be unavailable for the La Liga match against Levante on January 17, complicating Madrid’s domestic schedule.

The club remains optimistic that the enforced rest will be short-lived. If his recovery progresses as anticipated, Mbappé could make a return to action on January 20, when Real Madrid hosts AS Monaco in the Champions League at the Bernabéu, a match that carries significant personal narrative given his formative years at the Ligue 1 club. Medical staff are prioritizing caution, fully aware that Mbappé’s explosive playing style places considerable strain on his lower body, ensuring that he returns to full fitness rather than risking recurrence later in the season.