The curse chasing Mbappé: Injuries always arrive at the worst moment
Since arriving at Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé has delivered goals and consistency, but every physical setback he has faced seems to appear right before finals, derbies, or crucial knockout matches.
Since joining Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé has proven to be anything but injury-prone. The French forward has played the majority of matches and scored goals at a remarkable rate, maintaining the kind of productivity only a few attackers in the club’s history have achieved. Yet the real issue has not been the number of injuries, but their timing. Every time Mbappé’s body has forced him to stop, the schedule has placed a crucial match right in front of him. The first warning came in September 2024, only months after his arrival in Madrid, when muscle discomfort prevented him from playing his first derby against Atlético de Madrid.
Later that season, another key moment arrived with the Copa del Rey final against FC Barcelona. Mbappé was not fully fit, but he still traveled with the squad and came off the bench according to the plan. Real Madrid ultimately lost the title in a match where the French star tried to contribute despite not being at full strength.
Another setback followed during the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. A severe gastroenteritis sent Mbappé to the hospital, caused him to lose several kilos, and forced him to miss the entire group stage of the tournament.
This season has been even harsher. In December, during a league match against RC Celta de Vigo, his left knee began to show warning signs. Days later, when Manchester City visited the Bernabéu in the UEFA Champions League, Mbappé remained on the bench and did not play a single minute.
Medical tests later confirmed a ligament sprain that ruled him out of the Supercopa de España semifinal against Atlético. Although he traveled to the final against Barcelona, he only managed to play 14 minutes. Now, with another Champions League clash approaching, Mbappé is once again the big absentee. His potential return could come on March 17 at the Etihad, although the club remains cautious. For now, seeing him running again on the training pitches of Valdebebas offers Real Madrid fans a glimpse of hope.
