“Mbappé is accumulating injuries at Real Madrid like never before at PSG.”

Kylian Mbappé is becoming a real clinical case at Real Madrid! In just two years with the club, the French prodigy has already accumulated as many injuries as he did in the seven seasons he spent at PSG, raising alarm among Madrid fans and fueling worrying rumors about his future at the Spanish club. The latest injury will prevent the forward from facing Espanyol in the next LaLiga match scheduled for May 3, increasing the tension surrounding the Madrid emblem.

Since his arrival at the Santiago Bernabéu, Mbappé has already recorded 13 physical issues, nine of which have occurred this season alone. To illustrate the contrast, during his seven years at PSG, the French international also suffered 13 injuries, all of which were minor and had little impact on his performance. Now, at Real Madrid, the interruptions are more frequent and concerning, especially due to a series of complications with his knee that have turned into a nightmare for both the player and the team.

The ordeal began on December 7 of last year, in a match against Celta, when Mbappé suffered a blow to the knee that forced him to miss the group stage match of the Champions League against Manchester City. Although he remained on the bench, the pain did not leave him. He returned for the next game against Alavés, but the complaints persisted. After the Christmas break, an MRI revealed a problem with the lateral collateral ligament that promised at least three weeks on the sidelines. However, in a clear demonstration of willpower, Mbappé returned to the pitch just 11 days later, under the orders of coach Xabi Alonso, despite having missed important matches such as the classic against Betis and the Super Cup derby against Atlético Madrid.

The worst was yet to come. In February, the knee pain worsened again, forcing a third stoppage. Mbappé was called up for the match against Real Sociedad but ended up not taking to the field, just as he had in the clash against Manchester City. The situation became even more complicated with a fifth absence, marked by controversy due to an initial incorrect diagnosis and an unexpected trip to Paris for treatment. This last absence occurred the day before the decisive second leg of the European knockout tie against Benfica. In total, the knee issue sidelined Mbappé for about three months, causing him to miss 10 crucial matches.

Before these chronic knee problems, between October and November, the forward had already been affected by three minor injuries to his right ankle, which forced him to miss two matches for the French national team. Now, a new muscle injury has once again placed the French star on the injury list, increasing the discontent within the squad and among fans at a time when Real Madrid is on the verge of completing a second consecutive season without winning any titles.

Despite these physical setbacks, Mbappé remains the main offensive reference for the Merengues. With 41 goals in all competitions, he is by far the team’s top scorer, with more than double the tally of the second-best scorer, Vinícius Júnior, who has 19 goals. The talent is there, but the physical fragility is jeopardizing the shine of the French star and the ambitions of the Spanish giant. Real Madrid urgently needs answers to prevent Mbappé’s absence from turning into a deep sporting crisis. What is happening with the French genius? Is this the beginning of an injury-plagued era that could define his legacy at the Bernabéu? The clock is ticking, and the football world is watching closely every step of the forward.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.