What injury does Kylian Mbappe have? What to know about knee issue affecting Real Madrid, France star
There is no doubt that Kylian Mbappe is one of the best football players in the world.
In 2025/26, the forward leads both the La Liga top goal-scorers table and the Champions League top goal-scorers table, both by considerable margins as of February 25. In fact, in the Champions League, Mbappe is hoping to break Cristiano Ronaldo’s all-time single-season record.
So, when Mbappe doesn’t appear on the field, the football community takes notice, especially with the World Cup looming this summer and France hoping to have their superstar forward fit and ready to lead them to glory.
More immediately, Madrid will hope his absence is not too keenly felt when they host Benfica in the second leg of the Champions League knockout playoffs.
The Sporting News looks at Mbappe’s nagging injury, how it has affected him so far, and whether it will threaten to keep him out for a longer time than initially anticipated.
MORE: Explaining the Champions League knockout-stage bracket and who Real Madrid could face
What injury does Kylian Mbappe have?
At this point, all we know about Mbappe’s injury is that it has been chalked up to “knee soreness” and “knee pain.”
Little else has been revealed about an injury that has kept him sidelined at various points this season, though never for terribly long in one stretch.
Real Madrid presumably know more precise details about Mbappe’s knee than they are letting on, figuring as long as he keeps himself fit for most games, there is no need to publicly reveal more than necessary.
How long is Kylian Mbappe out?
For now, it’s unclear how long Mbappe will be absent, but there is no indication at this point to suggest he will miss more than one or two games as he has before when his knee pain flared up.
At this point, only his absence for the second leg against Benfica in the Champions League knockout-playoff round has been confirmed.
Kylian Mbappé is out for Real Madrid vs Benfica game tonight, confirmed.
Knee pain make Mbappé and Real staff decide not to take any risks. pic.twitter.com/pKgGcNOC2L
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 25, 2026
How many games has Kylian Mbappe missed this season?
His absence from the second leg against Benfica will mark just the sixth match that Mbappe has not appeared in for Real Madrid this season.
In two of those games, he was named to the squad but did not see the field, while he was out of the matchday squad entirely on four occasions.
Games missed in 2025/26 by Kylian Mbappe
| Date | Competition | Match | Reason |
| Dec. 10, 2025 | Champions League | Real Madrid 1-2 Man City | Unused substitute |
| Jan. 4, 2026 | La Liga | Real Madrid 5-1 Real Betis | Out — Knee soreness |
| Jan. 8, 2026 | Supercopa de Espana | Atletico Madrid 1-2 Real Madrid | Out — Knee soreness |
| Jan. 14, 2026 | Copa del Rey | Albacete 3-2 Real Madrid | Out — Knee soreness |
| Feb. 14, 2026 | La Liga | Real Madrid 4-1 Real Sociedad | Unused substitute |
| Feb. 25, 2026 | Champions League | Real Madrid vs. Benfica | Out — Knee soreness |
Will Kylian Mbappe need knee surgery?
Without knowing the extent of Mbappe’s injury, it’s impossible to say whether he will need surgery.
However, it does feel as though the likelihood of a procedure to correct an injury at some point grows larger the longer the issue lingers.
With the 2026 World Cup coming up this summer, and Mbappe certainly hoping to stay fit enough to take part in that event as France gun for a title, there will be questions asked about whether he will have to sacrifice availability for his club in order to prove fit enough to participate in the FIFA showcase for Les Bleus.
