Softfootball understands that Real Madrid’s plans for the coming weeks have taken a sudden hit, and it’s not a small one, as Kylian Mbappé, the club’s main attacking weapon this season, has been ruled out for roughly three weeks after tests confirmed a knee ligament injury.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano via his official X account, an MRI scan carried out earlier confirmed a sprain to the external ligament in Mbappé’s knee.
He said:
Kylian Mbappé has been suffering from a sprained ligament, and an MRI has revealed an injury.
While surgery is not required, the injury demands rest, patience and a structured rehab plan. Madrid doctors are said to be cautious, maybe even extra careful this time.
What’s a bit surprising is that Mbappé had been feeling discomfort for a while. He continued playing through it, believing it was just fatigue or a knock that would fade. There was a slight drop in his sharpness; the warning signs were already there, and now the club has to deal with the consequences.
Alonso now finds himself adjusting plans again. Mbappé will miss the LaLiga fixture against Real Betis on January 4, 2026, a game that already looked awkward on paper. He is also set to miss the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Atlético Madrid, further compounding Real Madrid’s injury woes ahead of a demanding run of fixtures.
Perhaps even more concerning, the Frenchman is expected to sit out the final two Champions League group matches, games that could shape Madrid’s route in the competition.
The numbers explain the concern around Valdebebas. Mbappé, who recently scored a brace in the club’s 3-2 victory against Talavera in the Copa del Rey, followed up with a goal in Madrid’s 2-0 victory against Sevilla in La Liga.
He has scored 29 goals and registered four assists in just 25 appearances across all competitions this season. In LaLiga alone, his 18 goals have him leading the scoring charts comfortably. Taking that out of the team, even briefly, is a big ask.
Now the pressure shifts to Vinícius Jr, Rodrygo, and Bellingham to carry the load. Mbappé is expected back towards the end of January, but recovery isn’t always linear. Madrid will wait, hope, and maybe worry a little, because rushing him back would be a risk they can’t afford.
