Real Madrid’s star striker Kylian Mbappé has been forced to step aside after sustaining a knee injury, bringing concern to the club and its supporters. This season, across all competitions, Real Madrid have played 25 matches, and Mbappé has missed just one. In the remaining fixtures, the French forward has given everything on the pitch, but the cumulative toll has finally caught up with him.
French sports daily L’Équipe reports that Mbappé had been playing the last few La Liga matches despite discomfort in his knee. Initially, the club’s medical team did not deem it serious. However, the issue gradually worsened, and the 27-year-old struggled to increase his sprinting speed. Real Madrid confirmed the injury after an MRI scan of his left knee conducted on Wednesday, prompting the club to prioritise rest over immediate return to the field.
A statement from Real Madrid read:
“Our Medical Services team has conducted tests on Kylian Mbappé. He has sustained a strain to his left knee.”
While the club has not officially stated how long he will be sidelined, sources close to Mbappé told AFP that he will be out for at least three weeks. L’Équipe corroborates this timeline. This absence is a significant blow to Real Madrid as the club enters the New Year.
Mbappé has scored 29 goals across all competitions this season, making him Real Madrid’s top scorer. In La Liga alone, he remains the leading goal scorer for the club. Notably, 55.7% of Real Madrid’s 52 goals this season have come from Mbappé, highlighting the scale of his importance to the team. With the club currently second in La Liga, four points behind leaders Barcelona after 18 matches, his absence could be pivotal in the title race.
Upcoming fixtures affected by Mbappé’s absence:
| Date | Competition | Opponent | Mbappé Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7–11 January | Spanish Super Cup | Various | Will not play |
| 17 January | La Liga | Levante | Likely unavailable |
| 21 January | Champions League | Monaco | Likely unavailable |
| 22 January | La Liga | Real Betis | Will not play |
Real Madrid have not disclosed the exact circumstances of the injury, but L’Équipe notes it stems from consecutive matches placing strain on his knee. This follows a remarkable 2025 season in which Mbappé scored 59 goals, breaking Cristiano Ronaldo’s club record. Since joining Real Madrid from PSG 18 months ago, he has netted 73 goals in 83 appearances.
The club will now manage his recovery carefully, ensuring that when he returns, he is fully fit for the crucial stages of the season.