Mbappe's Mystery Injuries Leave Real Madrid Star Baffled and Club Bracing for Extended Setback
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé is reportedly feeling "bewildered" according to Spanish media, as he endures what appears to be the most injury-plagued campaign of his professional career.
Despite netting an impressive 38 goals across 33 appearances for Real Madrid this term, Mbappé continues to battle a persistent knee issue that has forced him to miss Monday's La Liga clash with Getafe and will likely rule him out of the upcoming fixture against Celta Vigo four days later... at minimum.
The French forward had previously been absent for the Champions League playoff return leg versus Benfica, along with various other fixtures in recent months—including the Spanish Super Cup semifinal encounter.
While Mbappé has attempted to play through the pain and discomfort, this approach cannot continue indefinitely.
MARCA describes it as an "unusual circumstance" for a player who has seldom dealt with such issues during his decade-long career thus far, and finds it "perplexing" that the condition continues to resurface instead of healing completely.
Mbappé 'Needs to Stop' for Full Recovery
Mbappé 'Needs to Stop' for Full Recovery
Additional reports indicate that Mbappé has declined the potential option of surgical intervention to address his knee problem.
The 27-year-old forward might avoid requiring an operation, but not without some form of medical treatment.
AS sought advice from Dr. José González, a medical expert with extensive experience treating elite athletes in Spain: "The lateral ligament causes less hindrance to the player compared to the medial meniscus. This allows Mbappé to compete with a minor strain, but with increased match demands, he ultimately experiences pain."
While there's no immediate cause for alarm, Mbappé must take action. Dr. González continued: "If the situation is limited to what we currently understand, the remedy is evident, in my view. He simply must rest. Genuinely rest until the issue is fully addressed."
There exists, naturally, a warning from Real Madrid's history. Kaká competed through knee discomfort during early 2010—still his inaugural Real Madrid campaign—declining surgery due to the approaching World Cup in South Africa. By summer's end, he could no longer postpone the surgical procedure. The final advice from his treating physician? "He should have alerted us earlier."
Gonzalo García Must Step Up
Gonzalo García Must Step Up
Real Madrid head coach Álvaro Arbeloa disclosed on Friday that Mbappé might face "weeks" away from the squad, rather than merely days. The club hasn't provided a specific timeline, but the Champions League round of 16 first leg against Manchester City approaches in under two weeks.
"When discomfort stops you from participating, if we choose to label it an injury we may do so, but it appears to be nothing severe—a minor concern," Arbeloa explained. "He could return within days or weeks. We have a medical assessment, but I'm not authorized to share such information."
Mbappé's 38 goals represent nearly 44% of Real Madrid's complete team production across all tournaments this season. While Vinicius Junior's form has improved recently, Gonzalo García has managed only six goals in the 2025–26 campaign.
The 21-year-old forward found the net four times during last summer's Club World Cup alone and may now receive a series of starting opportunities. Ultimately, he must demonstrate his capabilities.