Kylian Mbappé Faces El Clásico Fitness Race After Confirmed Thigh Injury
Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé is now a major doubt for the highly anticipated El Clásico on May 10 after the club confirmed he has picked up a thigh injury.
The French captain was forced off during Madrid’s 1-1 LaLiga draw against Real Betis last Friday, prompting immediate concern. In an official update, the club revealed that he has sustained damage to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg, following further medical examinations.
Initially, Madrid suggested the issue was only a minor muscular overload, but subsequent tests confirmed a more serious injury, putting his availability for the clash against FC Barcelona in doubt.
Madrid, currently sitting second in LaLiga and trailing Barcelona by 11 points, face RCD Espanyol before the decisive showdown. The absence of their top scorer could prove costly at a critical stage of the season.
If Madrid fail to secure maximum points against Espanyol and Barcelona overcome CA Osasuna, the Catalan side could clinch the league title for a second consecutive year.
Mbappé’s latest setback adds to a season already disrupted by fitness issues. Earlier in the campaign, the 27-year-old endured a knee problem that sidelined him for two months—the longest spell out of his career. The striker later admitted the period brought “frustration, anger, and anxiety.”
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico set to kick off on June 11, his fitness will also be closely monitored by the French national team.
As El Clásico approaches, uncertainty surrounding Mbappé’s condition adds fresh tension to an already high-stakes encounter. Whether he recovers in time or not, his absence could have significant implications for both the title race and Real Madrid’s attacking thr
