Mbappe Faces Unprecedented Confusion Due to Repeated Injuries

The French player Kylian Mbappe is experiencing an unusual and strange situation in his career with Real Madrid, as he has never been absent for such a long period as he is currently. This has caused him confusion and bewilderment due to the series of injuries he has suffered in recent months.

One of Mbappé’s most notable features is his exceptional physical strength, which not only allows him to make a difference on the field but also grants him high resilience against injuries. Despite ten years among the elite, his absence from matches has been rare and his periods of absence very short. However, his current left knee injury has forced him to stop five times over the past three months, keeping him from his usual top form.

According to the figures, Mbappe has already surpassed his longest absence recorded in a single season. In the 2019/2020 season, he was absent for 51 days due to two injuries: a muscle injury for 33 days and a sprain in the right ankle affecting the outer ligament for 18 days. This season, his absence has exceeded 53 days due to eight injuries so far, a record Mbappe is not accustomed to, causing him to feel disoriented, according to the Spanish newspaper “Marca.”

The current injury began on December 7th during a match against Celta Vigo, leading to his absence from the UEFA Champions League match against Manchester City, where he sat on the bench without actual participation. After his return in the next match against Alaves, the pain returned again after the Christmas holidays. An MRI scan revealed an impact on the lateral collateral ligament of the knee, necessitating an absence of no less than three weeks.

Nevertheless, Mbappe returned to training under the leadership of Xabi Alonso after just 11 days and participated as a substitute in the Clasico for only 14 minutes, following his absence from important matches such as Betis in the league and the semi-final derby of the Spanish Super Cup.

Repeated injuries led to his absence from crucial matches in the season, including games against Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Sociedad, and finally Benfica in the UEFA Champions League, bringing the total number of matches he has missed so far to six and more than 30 days off the field.

This unusual situation reflects the difficulty of managing Mbappé’s injuries amid intense competitive pressure, knowing that the player is accustomed to being constantly with the team and participating in most matches without interruption.