Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé faces at least three weeks on the sidelines after an MRI scan confirmed a lateral ligament lesion in his knee, according to French outlet L’Equipe.
The 27-year-old French captain played through the pain for several matches but felt he could not accelerate as he wanted. The scan on Wednesday morning revealed the extent of the damage. Mbappé did not imagine the Kylian Mbappé injury was serious before the diagnosis forced him to accept a period of rest.
The setback means he will miss Madrid’s first game of 2026 against Real Betis on January 4. He is also doubtful forthe Spanish Super Cup and crucial Champions League fixtures against Monaco and Benfica later in the month.
Born on December 20, 1998, in Paris, Mbappé joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain in summer 2024 on a free transfer. The forward has scored 29 goals and provided four assists in 24 appearances across all competitions this season for Los Blancos.
Mbappé has become the focal point of Madrid’s attack since his arrival at the Santiago Bernabéu. The forward leads the team in scoring and his partnership with Vinícius Júnior has been crucial to Madrid’s European ambitions. His last absence in the team coincides with a 2-1 loss to Manchester City in the Champions League earlier in December.
The timing adds pressure on manager Xabi Alonso’s squad. Real Madrid currently sit second in La Liga behind Barcelona and face a demanding fixture schedule across three competitions in January. Without their main goalscorer, the burden falls on Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo to carry the attacking load.
