Real Madrid insist Mbappé has suffered a knee sprain and believe he could feature in the second leg against Manchester City, but some sources stress the striker’s injury is extremely serious, with a completely different recovery timeline.
Mbappé’s injury has sparked controversy. Real Madrid confirmed in a statement that the player has a knee sprain, while French media previously revealed the forward travelled to Paris to consult multiple specialists about his condition. Sources close to the player added he is highly unlikely to feature in France’s scheduled friendlies at the end of March, with his recovery period uncertain.
Nevertheless, Real Madrid still hope their star will be fit for the Champions League second leg against Manchester City on March 17. Mbappé cannot afford to waste a single day.
“There is one unresolved and hugely important issue – Mbappé’s fitness. His left posterior cruciate ligament is at a critical state. We call it a sprain because that’s what the medical report says, but Mbappé’s injury is in fact very serious. With 100 days left until the World Cup, he cannot waste a single day, not one. He needs all 100 days to recover for the World Cup.”
“Real Madrid believe Mbappé could return for the away second leg against Manchester City, but his camp does not agree with this timeline. They think that date is too risky, and playing any match poses a danger – one he will not take right now. We will see how long this ‘right now’ lasts.”
“Real Madrid have given a potential return date, but those close to the player say he must recover fully,” Meijana added, insisting that “we refer to it as a sprain because of the medical report, but the recovery timeline and Mbappé’s frustration force me to be cautious.”
