Real Madrid’s concern over Kylian Mbappé has eased after tests in the Spanish capital placed his expected absence at between 10 and 12 days, leaving the forward with a realistic route back before a demanding run that includes Champions League travel to Roma and a home meeting with Leipzig.
Key takeaways
- Mbappé has sustained a hyperextension affecting the rear capsule of his left knee.
- The France captain was injured after scoring the decisive goal against Turkey in Kocaeli.
- Madrid hope he can be available for Villarreal after the international break, subject to his recovery.
- He remains on course for the first Clásico against Barcelona on 25 October at 21:00.
- Ibrahima Konaté is also receiving treatment in Madrid after damaging the medial collateral ligament in his right knee.
A short absence before Europe returns
The diagnosis is far less serious than Madrid initially feared. Mbappé underwent examinations on Saturday after returning from France duty, with the club now working on a recovery timetable of around a fortnight.
That schedule puts several major fixtures into view. Madrid face Villarreal first after the international window, before a sequence that takes them to Roma in Europe and brings Sevilla and Leipzig to the Bernabéu. The Champions League calendar is particularly significant: an away night in Rome will test the squad’s depth, while Leipzig’s visit will arrive amid a crowded domestic and continental programme.
Mbappé could also be fit for Barcelona’s visit to Spotify Camp Nou on 25 October. The match is scheduled for 21:00, roughly a month after the injury was suffered.
France scare and Madrid’s wider injury watch
The forward went down during France’s Nations League match with Turkey in Kocaeli. He had just put his side ahead with a shot that proved to be the game’s only goal, but immediately held his knee afterwards. The early signs caused alarm, including after comments from Zinedine Zidane, who was taking charge of France for the first time.
France initially described the problem as a tendon injury and released Mbappé so he could return to Madrid for treatment. He left the national-team hotel on Saturday morning, and France will not call up a replacement.
Madrid’s anxiety was understandable given the history of the same knee. Mbappé missed 12 matches last season because of the issue, while his performances and playing time were affected in three further games. That spell also brought debate over whether the original diagnosis had been wrong.
Konaté’s situation adds another concern from the France camp. The defender returned to Madrid after suffering an issue involving the medial collateral ligament of his right knee. He may yet make the Villarreal match, although that will depend on how he progresses over the coming week. Mbappé’s availability for that fixture will be assessed on the same basis.
