Real Madrid suffers injury blow as Mbappe racing against time for El Clasico

Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe is a doubt for the Clasico on May 10 after his club confirmed Monday he has sustained a thigh injury.

"He has been diagnosed with an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg," said Los Blancos in a statement, after the France captain went off hurt during Madrid's 1-1 draw against Real Betis in La Liga last Friday.

Kylian Mbappe, forward for Real Madrid and France, celebrating a goal with teammates Arda Guler and Alvaro Carreras during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Getafe CF and Real Madrid CF at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, Getafe, Spain, October 19, 2025. (AA Photo)

Madrid, second in the Spanish top flight by 11 points from leaders Barcelona, faces Espanyol on Sunday before taking on the Catalan giants the following weekend.

Real Madrid initially indicated Mbappe had suffered a muscular overload, but further tests showed their top goalscorer was injured.

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Impact on title race and World Cup

If Madrid drops points against Espanyol without him and Barcelona defeats Osasuna on Saturday, Hansi Flick's side will be crowned champions for a second successive season.

Mbappe has been troubled by injury this season, generating concern in France with the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico starting on June 11.

The 27-year-old, a world champion in 2018, was dogged by a knee issue which lasted for two months, the longest absence of his career, and admitted it caused him "frustration, anger and anxiety."

April 27, 2026 04:47 PM GMT+03:00