Kylian Mbappe is a major doubt for next month’s El Clásico after Real Madrid confirmed the French striker picked up a thigh injury during last Friday’s La Liga draw against Real Betis.
Real Madrid confirmed the injury on Monday, less than two weeks before the May 10 fixture against Barcelona. The club stated Mbappe had been diagnosed with an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg and that they were awaiting progress.
Mbappe was replaced after 81 minutes of the 1-1 draw with Real Betis. Real Madrid initially indicated he had suffered a muscular overload, but further tests showed the injury was more serious than first thought.
The timing could not be worse for the Spanish club, who are chasing a remarkable late-season turnaround.
What the Injury Means for Real Madrid’s Title Race
Real Madrid are 11 points behind leaders Barcelona in the table with five games remaining. They face Espanyol on Sunday before taking on Barcelona the following weekend at the Nou Camp.
If Madrid lose points against Espanyol without Mbappe, and Barcelona beat Osasuna on Saturday, Hansi Flick’s team will be champions for the second year in a row.
Much is at stake. Real Madrid were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich last week and could end up empty-handed. El Clásico was seen as the game to redeem themselves.
Mbappe has shone in La Liga this year despite his team’s poor performance. He has scored 24 goals in 28 La Liga matches and 15 goals in 11 Champions League matches this season. It’s a major setback at this point of the season for the club’s chances of catching up with Barcelona.
Mbappe’s Injury Record This Season Raises Concern
This is not the first time Mbappe has been sidelined in the 2025-26 campaign. The 27-year-old was troubled by a knee issue, which lasted for two months, the longest absence of his career, and admitted it caused him frustration, anger, and anxiety.
The regular injury woes are naturally of concern beyond the outcome of the tournament. Mbappe joins a growing club of high-profile players who have suffered injuries in the lead-up to the World Cup: the Netherlands’ Xavi Simons, Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah, and Spanish sensation Lamine Yamal.
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World Cup Participation Still Possible for France Captain
Mbappe is the captain and key player for the French team. Les Bleus will be worried about any lengthy absence, although the medical outlook is that he can be ready for the World Cup in June.
While there is concern about the El Clásico game, there is hope about the overall situation. The French captain may well be ready to play in time for the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, which kicks off on June 11, which means Mbappe has a little over a month to prepare.
Real Madrid will have a further update on his situation in the coming days.
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