France national football team captain Kylian Mbappe travelled to Paris this week to undergo specialised medical care for an ongoing knee problem, raising uncertainty about his availability for Real Madrid’s upcoming UEFA Champions League fixture against Manchester City.
The Spanish club confirmed that the forward has been diagnosed with a sprain in his left knee following assessments by French specialists under the supervision of Real Madrid’s medical department. Officials stated that Mbappe will continue with a conservative rehabilitation programme and that surgery is not currently required.
Mbappe has been managing discomfort in the external ligament of his left knee since late 2025. The issue forced him to sit out recent matches including the Champions League play-off second leg against Benfica after experiencing persistent pain during training sessions.
According to sources close to the player, the decision for him to step back temporarily was mutually agreed upon by Mbappe, the coaching staff and medical experts. The primary objective is to ensure a complete recovery before he returns to competitive action at full fitness.
Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa recently acknowledged that the recovery timeline will extend beyond just a few days, though no exact return date has been provided. The situation places Mbappe’s participation in the Champions League last 16 tie against Manchester City in doubt, with the first leg scheduled for March 11 and the return leg on March 17.
Despite the setback, Mbappe has enjoyed a prolific campaign, netting 38 goals in 33 appearances across competitions this season. Both Real Madrid and the French national team will be closely monitoring his progress ahead of crucial fixtures, including international friendlies later this month and France’s opening World Cup match in June.
