Mbappé explores solutions for his knee

Kylian Mbappé has been dealing with discomfort in his left knee since December, specifically a sprain, as confirmed by Real Madrid. Since then, the forward himself has often been the one to decide whether he felt fit enough to play. But ahead of the clash with Benfica, alarm bells rang loud enough for the Frenchman to opt for a pause and seek a definitive solution.

The Super Cup and the final against Barcelona offered a clear example. Mbappé traveled to Jeddah for the decisive game even though the original plan had been for him not to play, allowing three full weeks without pushing the injured joint to its limits. That plan was ultimately scrapped.

Now, after another setback during Tuesday’s training session, he chose to stop, consult additional specialists to determine the precise diagnosis – including pinpointing the exact origin of the pain – and decide how best to address a problem that has lingered since the December 7 game against Celta.

The season has moved on, and the sharp physical edge he showed in the opening months has faded since that match. Efforts to achieve a full recovery have yet to produce the desired results. The upcoming World Cup further complicates matters, as any surgical intervention could jeopardize his availability for France.

Mbappé is reluctant to take that step and remains committed to conservative treatment. Working alongside Real Madrid’s medical staff, led by Nico Mihic, he is exploring alternatives and consulting specialists in the field. The length of his absence is currently unclear, but one conclusion has crystalized over these months of discomfort: he needs to be fully recovered before returning to action.

He has, in truth, played through pain during this stretch, and the issue has not gone away. After feeling it again on Tuesday, he was absent from the Bernabéu for Wednesday’s game against Benfica. He is searching for a solution to pain that is preventing him from performing at the level he displayed earlier this season.

Real Madrid need his talent and his goals – but they need the Frenchman at full strength, not drifting in and out of the lineup because of recurring discomfort. Last season he featured in 59 games; so far this campaign he has made 33 appearances. There has been no official medical update since December, yet at Valdebebas the word “injury” is once again being used more readily than “discomfort.”

Mbappé and Real Madrid continue to assess, listen and deliberate in search of the right path forward.

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