Will Mbappe Ignite El Clasico in His Highly Anticipated Real Madrid Debut?

Real Madrid have announced that Kylian Mbappé sustained a hamstring injury during the club's 1–1 stalemate with Real Betis.

Mbappé hobbled off the pitch in the closing minutes after asking to be replaced, and early concerns about a muscle injury have now been confirmed following tests conducted over the weekend.

"His recovery will be closely monitored," a short club statement read, without specifying the extent of Mbappé's injury or providing an expected return date.

Concerns that the injury could be serious enough to rule Mbappé out of the World Cup have been eased, though there remain considerable doubts surrounding his availability for El Clásico against Barcelona on May 10.

The Games Kylian Mbappé Could Miss Through Injury

Real Madrid head to Espanyol next Sunday and will do so without Mbappé, who will be sidelined and unable to feature.

That fixture could prove pivotal in the La Liga title race. Barcelona hold an 11-point advantage with five games remaining and face Osasuna a day earlier. A win for the side currently sitting ninth would leave Madrid needing three points to keep the title race alive.

Should Madrid manage to get the result without Mbappé, they will head to Camp Nou a week later knowing that anything short of a win would hand Barcelona the championship. The pressure could not be greater.

Fortunately for Madrid, there is a chance Mbappé could be fit for that crucial match. MARCA report that El Clásico has been identified as the target for the Frenchman's comeback, provided his recovery goes smoothly.

AS report that Madrid have not ruled out Mbappé featuring against Barcelona, which would be a massive lift for the team's prospects of engineering a six-point turnaround that would keep the title race going until the final stretch.

If Mbappé fails to recover in time for El Clásico, the home clash with Real Oviedo four days afterwards could represent a more realistic return date. Sevilla and Athletic Club round off Madrid's schedule for the season.

Even if the title is already decided in the final weeks of the campaign, Mbappé will be eager to return and build up his fitness, aiming to arrive at this summer's World Cup in the best possible shape. France open their tournament against Senegal on June 16.

Real Madrid's Remaining Fixtures

* Dates to be confirmed.