Kylian Mbappé injury will keep him on the sidelines, tests show

Real Madrid look set to be without Kylian Mbappé for this weekend’s trip to Rayo Vallecano and his involvement in the Intercontinental Cup layer this month is also in doubt.

The Frenchman was substituted in the 35th minute of Madrid’s 3-2 Champions League victory over Atalanta on Tuesday. Mbappé opened the scoring for Carlo Ancelotti’s side but was forced off before the half, suffering another muscular issue.

AS in Madrid reports that a subsequent test has identified a thigh injury and Mbappé is expected to be out for ten days. Real Madrid will contest the Intercontinental Cup final on December 18, against either Pachuca of Mesico or Al Ahly of Egypt.

A statement from the club confirmed: “Following tests carried out on Kylian Mbappé today by the Real Madrid medical department, the player has been diagnosed with a thigh injury in his left leg. His progress will be monitored.”

There was understandable concern when Mbappé was withdrawn so early in a must-win Champions League game, particularly given his recent record of muscular injuries. Nevertheless the Read Madrid boss was quick to clam Madridista worries in the postgame press conference.

“It doesn’t look serious”, Ancelotti had told reporters in the aftermath of Tuesday’s game. “He has an overload, a little discomfort in his hamstring. We will have to see him in the next few days. It doesn’t seem serious, but he had to stop, because he couldn’t sprint... it was bothering him a little bit. So we preferred to change him.”

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