Real Madrid faces a significant setback in their pursuit of La Liga leaders Barcelona following the announcement that star striker Kylian Mbappe has sustained a left knee sprain. The club’s medical services confirmed the diagnosis after comprehensive testing on Wednesday, though no specific timeline was provided for the French international’s recovery.
According to sources close to the situation, the 27-year-old forward is expected to be unavailable for at least three weeks, potentially missing several crucial fixtures. This development comes at a particularly inopportune moment for Los Blancos, who trail their arch-rivals by four points in the domestic league standings.
Mbappe’s absence raises serious concerns about Madrid’s upcoming matches, including Sunday’s league encounter against Real Betis—their first outing following the winter break. The injury also places his participation in January’s Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Atlético Madrid in Saudi Arabia in serious doubt, along with subsequent league and Champions League fixtures.
The circumstances surrounding the injury remain unclear, as Mbappe had participated fully in Tuesday’s training session without apparent issues. The club conducted an MRI scan on Wednesday to assess the extent of the damage.
This setback interrupts what has been a phenomenal individual season for Mbappe, who currently leads La Liga’s scoring charts with 18 goals—seven clear of Barcelona’s Ferran Torres. The Frenchman has been in scintillating form throughout 2025, matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s club record of 59 goals in a calendar year while often carrying the team’s offensive responsibilities under manager Xabi Alonso.
Since arriving on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain eighteen months ago, Mbappe has netted 73 times in 83 appearances for the Spanish giants. He claimed last season’s Pichichi Trophy as top scorer with 31 goals, outperforming Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski by four goals.
Mbappe joins an expanding injury list that includes defenders Daniel Carvajal, Éder Militão, Trent Alexander-Arnold, midfielder Federico Valverde, and forward Brahim Díaz, who is currently representing Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations.