Football: Soccer-Mbappe diagnosed with knee hyperextension, say Real Madrid
Real Madrid confirmed on Saturday that France captain Kylian Mbappe has been diagnosed with a hyperextension of the posterior capsule of his left knee, an injury sustained during the national team's 1-0 Nations League…
Source: The Star · September 26, 2026 at 9:02 PM · AI-assisted report
Single-sourceMADRID, 27 SEPTEMBER 2026 —
Real Madrid confirmed on Saturday that France captain Kylian Mbappe has been diagnosed with a hyperextension of the posterior capsule of his left knee, an injury sustained during the national team's 1-0 Nations League victory over Turkey on Friday.
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The 27-year-old forward, who scored the winning goal before being forced off in the 58th minute, has left the France squad and returned to the Spanish capital for further assessment and treatment under the club's medical staff.
The injury occurred shortly after Mbappe opened the scoring at the Stade de France, giving France the lead in new coach Zinedine Zidane's first match in charge. According to match reports, Mbappe received treatment on the pitch after the goal and briefly returned to play before going down again moments later, unable to continue.
Zidane replaced him in the 58th minute, later stating that France were "not going to take any risks" and that he would not use the captain in the three Nations League matches scheduled over the next 10 days.
"After the tests carried out today on our player Kylian Mbappe by Real Madrid's Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a hyperextension of the posterior capsule of his left knee," read the official statement released by the LaLiga club on Saturday. The French Football Federation had initially described the issue as a "knee tendon injury" and confirmed Mbappe's return to Madrid for further evaluation, aligning with the club's subsequent detailed diagnosis.
The timeline for Mbappe's return remains uncertain, though Spanish daily AS reported on Saturday that he would certainly be ready for the El Clasico against Barcelona on October 25. Real Madrid's first match after the international break is at home to Villarreal on October 10, a fixture that might come too soon for the forward's recovery.
The club's medical staff will continue to monitor his progress in the coming days before determining his availability for domestic and European commitments.
France's immediate schedule without their captain includes a trip to Belgium on Monday, followed by home fixtures against Italy on October 2 and Belgium again on October 5 at the Stade de France. Zidane's decision to rule Mbappe out of all three matches underscores the cautious approach being taken by both the national team and the club, particularly given the player's importance to both sides and the congested fixture list ahead.
The injury represents a significant blow to Real Madrid's early-season plans, with Mbappe having joined the club in the summer transfer window. His absence could affect the team's attacking dynamics in upcoming matches, including the Champions League campaign and the anticipated Barcelona clash. The club has not specified a definitive recovery period, leaving the exact return date subject to the player's response to treatment over the next week.
For Malaysian and regional followers of European football, the development adds another layer of intrigue to the LaLiga title race and Champions League prospects, with Mbappe's fitness likely to influence betting markets, fantasy league selections, and broadcast interest in the coming weeks. The next medical update from Real Madrid will be closely watched by clubs, broadcasters, and fans across Asia as the October 25 El Clasico approaches.
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