Kylian Mbappé missed his debut experience at Real Madrid’s traditional Christmas dinner, becoming the most notable absence in the team’s group photo. This comes during a week when it was confirmed he suffered a muscle injury that will sideline him for at least 10 days.

Real Madrid’s group photo

Why Did Mbappé Skip the Christmas Dinner?

The French star was unable to attend the joint Christmas meal for the Real Madrid men’s and women’s football teams and basketball team on Friday due to a bout of the flu. His illness also kept him from participating in the club’s annual hospital visits to children.

Sources from the club informed EFE that Mbappé missed the event to prevent the risk of contagion, as the players traditionally visit children in hospitals after the meal.

Team Dinner Without Mbappé

In addition to Mbappé, several long-term injured players were absent, including Éder Militao, who appeared in photos shared by the club using crutches following recent surgery for a torn ACL and meniscus injuries. Despite these absences, the Christmas dinner took place in the basketball pavilion at the Valdebebas training center.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti adjusted his press schedule to attend the gathering, holding his press conference for the Rayo Vallecano match earlier than usual.

The event was also attended by club president Florentino Pérez, honorary president José Martínez "Pirri," and members of the board.

Spreading Holiday Cheer

After the meal, coaches and players from both the football and basketball teams, along with representatives from the Real Madrid Foundation, visited hospitalized children to deliver gifts.

Carlo Ancelotti and basketball coach Chus Mateo visited the Sanitas La Zarzuela University Hospital, while Luka Modrić and Sergio Llull went to the Sanitas La Moraleja University Hospital. Other team members visited various hospitals across Madrid, as reported by the club.

“More than 1,500 children and young people in hospitals benefit from this initiative, part of the Real Madrid Foundation's ‘No Child Without a Gift’ Christmas campaign. This charitable act reinforces the club’s commitment to its basketball program for hospitalized children, using sports to foster values and improve participants’ well-being,” the club stated.