Seven setbacks in Spain: Inside Kylian Mbappé's alarming injury record at Real Madrid

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé is facing another spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee hyperextension during France's 1-0 win over Turkey, marking his seventh injury setback since arriving in the Spanish capital.

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A growing medical record in Madrid

Mbappé's latest knee issue has once again put his physical durability in the spotlight. According to Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo, the 27 year old has now suffered seven separate injury setbacks since completing his move to the Santiago Bernabéu, causing him to miss a total of 14 matches across all competitions over a two year span.

The recurring absences stand in stark contrast to his earlier career. During his spells in France with AS Monaco and Paris Saint Germain, Mbappé was renowned for his remarkable durability and rarely missed extended periods through injury.

However, his physical record in Spain has told a markedly different story.

Chronology of Mbappé’s sidelined periods

Mbappé’s fitness concerns began during his debut 2024 /25 campaign which saw four separate disruptions:

• September 2024: A left hamstring strain against Deportivo Alavés in La Liga ruled him out of the Madrid derby against Atlético Madrid.
  
• December 2024: Muscular discomfort forced him off against Atalanta in Bergamo shortly after scoring, sidelining him against Rayo Vallecano.
  
• February 2025: A left foot contusion against Espanyol led to precautionary rest in the Copa del Rey against Leganés.
  
• March 2025: A right ankle sprain against Arsenal kept him out of fixtures against Athletic Club and Getafe.

The 2025 /26 campaign presented even greater challenges, predominantly centred around his left knee. A sprain in December 2025 ruled him out of clashes against Real Betis and Atlético Madrid.

The same joint issue resurfaced in early 2026, keeping him sidelined through March and forcing him to miss critical European ties against Benfica and Manchester City. Prior to the off season, a semitendinosus muscle injury in his left leg on 25 April kept him out for a further 17 days.

Left knee concerns demand careful management

While Mbappé has delivered decisive moments when available, his injury log indicates an underlying vulnerability, particularly in his left leg.

The repeated inflammation and sprains in his left knee over the past 12 months suggest that the joint has struggled under the relentless physical demands and congested scheduling of elite European football.

Real Madrid’s medical department will need to look beyond quick recoveries and address the root biomechanical stresses on the joint to prevent these recurrent two to three week absences from becoming a chronic limitation.

Khaled Hegazy |

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Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

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