French forward Kylian Mbappé sparked concerns during the Champions League match between Real Madrid and Atalanta on December 10, 2024. After scoring his 50th goal in the competition, Mbappé requested a substitution and left the field in the 35th minute, visibly upset and limping.

Medical Diagnosis

The following day, Real Madrid released an official update confirming that Mbappé sustained a muscle injury in the hamstring of his left leg, as determined by medical tests conducted at Valdebebas. The estimated recovery time is approximately 10 days, though his return will depend on his daily progress.

This timeline casts doubt on his availability for the Intercontinental Cup final, scheduled for December 18 in Doha, and rules him out of the upcoming LaLiga EA Sports match against Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabéu this weekend.

Impact on the Team

Mbappé’s injury adds to Real Madrid’s growing list of unavailable players, complicating an already challenging phase of the season. Coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed his frustration with the situation, citing the intense schedule and limited squad depth as contributing factors to the spate of injuries:

"The calendar is very demanding, and our reduced squad doesn’t allow us to manage rest periods as we would like," the Italian coach stated during a press conference.

With key matches on the horizon, Real Madrid faces an uphill battle to maintain its form without one of its most influential players.