In a massive blow to their La Liga title aspirations, Real Madrid have announced that star forward Kylian Mbappe has sustained a sprain to his left knee. The injury casts serious doubt over his immediate availability and deals a significant setback to the club's pursuit of league leaders Barcelona.
Diagnosis and Expected Recovery Timeline
The Spanish giants released an official statement on Wednesday confirming the diagnosis after the French international underwent medical tests. While the club did not specify a clear return date, a source close to the player informed AFP that Mbappe is expected to be sidelined for a minimum of three weeks.
The injury occurred under unclear circumstances, as Real Madrid have not disclosed when or how it happened. Mbappe was reportedly involved in full training with the squad on Tuesday before having an MRI scan the following day which revealed the sprain.
Key Matches Mbappe is Set to Miss
The timing of the injury is particularly cruel for Carlo Ancelotti's side. Mbappe's availability is now in serious doubt for Sunday's crucial home league fixture against Real Betis, which is Madrid's first match after the winter break.
If the three-week prognosis holds, his absence will extend to several critical fixtures:
- The Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Atletico Madrid in Saudi Arabia on January 8.
- A La Liga encounter against Levante.
- A UEFA Champions League meeting with his former club, Monaco.
This comes when Madrid are trying to close a four-point gap to Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table.
Magnitude of the Loss for Real Madrid
Mbappe's injury is a severe setback given his phenomenal form. The 27-year-old is in the midst of an exceptional period, having matched Cristiano Ronaldo's club record of 59 goals in a calendar year in 2025. He has often been the single-handed driving force behind Madrid's performances, easing pressure on head coach Xabi Alonso.
Since his high-profile free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain 18 months ago, Mbappe has been prolific, scoring 73 goals in just 83 appearances for the club. He finished as La Liga's top scorer last season with 31 goals, four ahead of Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski. This campaign, he already leads the scoring charts with 18 league goals, holding a seven-goal advantage over Barcelona's Ferran Torres.
His absence compounds Real Madrid's existing injury woes. The club is already without defenders Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, as well as midfielder Federico Valverde. Forward Brahim Diaz is also unavailable after joining the Morocco squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
All eyes will now be on how Ancelotti reshuffles his attacking options as Los Blancos navigate a packed January schedule without their most potent weapon.
