Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid confirm muscle injury to key superstar
Real Madrid have issued an official statement confirming that key forward Kylian Mbappe has sustained a muscle injury.
The French superstar had to be taken off late in the game against Real Betis this past week due to a hamstring strain. Initial scans had been positive but after he underwent an MRI today, a muscle injury has been confirmed.
“Following tests carried out today on our player Kylian Mbappe by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a semitendinosus muscle injury in his left leg. His recovery will be monitored,” the statement read.
Parte médico de Mbappé.
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) April 27, 2026
While the official update from the club does not specify a recovery timeline, there is hope at Real Madrid that Mbappe could still feature for the club before the end of the season.
This comes amidst speculation that the France captain might not play again in La Liga this term so as to avoid any risk heading into the World Cup in the summer.
With big games coming up against Espanyol and Barcelona, Real Madrid will miss their top goalscorer’s services.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid superstar expected to start vs Villarreal after returning to Spain to continue recovery
Kylian Mbappe is already back in Madrid. The Real Madrid forward landed at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport this morning accompanied by his partner, Ester Exposito, at 11:16am, according to AS.
Real Madrid were training at Valdebebas from 10:30 am, so it is clear that the Frenchman did not take part in that session.
However, he is expected at Valdebebas later today to continue his recovery and reconditioning after the knee problem he suffered, which will not prevent him from playing against Villarreal, the report further states.
What happened to Mbappe?
Mbappe suffered significant pain in his left knee during the first of France’s four matches during this international break. It was Zinedine Zidane’s debut as national team manager and the Real Madrid attacker scored the only goal of the match.
🚨 MBAPPÉ YA ESTÁ en MADRID🚨 ✈️El francés ha aterrizado a las 11:16h en la capital. 👉 El Real Madrid entrenaba hoy a las 10:30h. 📹 @marcosbenito9 https://t.co/R04FwEwHcB
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) October 5, 2026
As he struck the ball, he felt the discomfort and requested for a substitution. At Real Madrid, they believe that had he continued, the problem could have required surgery.
The striker travelled to Spain to undergo tests, and the medical examination determined that he had “hyperextension of the posterior capsule of the left knee”.
As this was the same knee in which Mbappe suffered a serious sprain last season, there was concern at Valdebebas. However, the problem has proved to be minor and Mourinho is counting on Mbappe for the match against Villarreal on 10 October.
Active rest and recovery
After the tests, Mbappe was given permission to spend a few days on active rest under the supervision of Real Madrid’s medical staff.
He spent just under a week away from Madrid as part of a recovery plan in which coordination between the player, coaching staff and doctors was complete.
The France captain is now expected at Valdebebas to gradually readjust to the rhythm of the rest of the squad as the internationals return to training, with Saturday’s match in mind, where he is expected to start.
This comes as good news for Jose Mourinho, who needs the Frenchman, who has scored eight goals this term, at his best to get Real Madrid’s season back on track.
After all, Real Madrid are six points behind Barcelona in La Liga and are approaching a crucial period of the season.
