Kylian Mbappé (27), like his club Real Madrid, is dragging himself towards the end of the season. On Friday evening, the Frenchman suffered his next injury-related setback. But how bad has it really got him?
It has become a season to forget for Kylian Mbappé. For the second year in a row, Real, who are spoiled for success, will have a title-less season – and the Frenchman would also have imagined his first two years in Madrid to be completely different.
In addition, Mbappé has been plagued by injuries time and again this season. The striker, whose physicality – preferably when he is at full strength – is essential to his game, has currently lost his killer instinct. While Mbappé scored in six consecutive La Liga games between mid-December and early February, he has managed just one meagre goal since then.
Even if Mbappé is likely to be crowned Spain’s top scorer again in the final sprint, given his three-goal lead over Mallorca’s Vedat Muriqi, the Real Madrid chapter cannot yet satisfy him.
Mbappé drives it into his thigh
On Friday evening, Mbappé and the Whites were on course for a working victory at Real Betis. Vinicius Junior had already scored the supposed golden goal in the 17th minute. But towards the end of the game, Mbappé suddenly felt pain. Not in his knee, which has been battered this season, but apparently in his left thigh, which is why he stopped abruptly and indicated that he wanted to be substituted.
Without making a face, Mbappé strolled off the pitch. He said goodbye to opponent Hector Bellerin, who was to snatch victory from Real in stoppage time. The 2018 world champion had to watch from the bench as his colleagues suffered the next blow.
But how bad was his? According to the club, an initial examination points to an overuse of the hamstring muscles in his left leg. Coach Alvaro Arbeloa has not yet been able to shed any light on the matter: “I have no idea. He’s had discomfort and we’ll see how it develops over the next few days.” Depending on the healing process – as usual.
The AFP news agency later reported from the Real environment that the injury was minor and not serious. However, detailed examinations are still pending. The World Cup kicks off in the USA, Canada and Mexico in a month and a half. Mbappé will then be chasing his second World Cup title. He will hardly be able to arrive with “momentum”, but if possible at least in full possession of his strength, if that is possible in the current situation.