Mbappé Injury Blow Shakes Real Madrid Ahead of El Clásico and Title Run-In

Updated by Faith barbara N Ruhinda at 1603 EAT on Monday 27 April 2026

Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé is a doubt for the upcoming El Clásico against FC Barcelona after the club confirmed he suffered a thigh injury in his most recent appearance.

In an official statement released on Monday, Real Madrid said the French forward had sustained the injury during his last outing, casting uncertainty over his availability for the highly anticipated May 10 showdown.

The fixture, widely regarded as the biggest match in Spanish domestic football, now hangs over Mbappé’s fitness status, with less than two weeks remaining before kickoff.

Further medical assessments are expected to determine the extent of the injury and whether the forward will recover in time to feature in the clash.

Kylian Mbappé has been diagnosed with a semitendinosus muscle injury in his left leg, Real Madrid confirmed on Monday, after the club’s leading scorer limped off during their 1–1 draw with Real Betis in La Liga on Friday.

“[He] has been diagnosed with an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg,” the club said in a statement, following further medical assessments that revealed the extent of the problem. Initial reports had suggested muscular overload, but subsequent tests confirmed a more serious issue.

The injury comes at a crucial stage of the season for Madrid, who sit second in the Spanish top flight, 11 points behind leaders FC Barcelona. Carlo Ancelotti’s side are set to face Espanyol on Sunday before a potentially decisive clash against the Catalan giants the following weekend.

Should Madrid drop points against Espanyol and Barcelona defeat Osasuna on Saturday, Hansi Flick’s side could be crowned champions for a second consecutive season.

Mbappé’s setback adds to growing concern over his fitness record this season, with the 27-year-old having already endured a two-month layoff earlier in the campaign due to a knee problem—the longest absence of his career. He previously described the period as one marked by “frustration, anger and anxiety.”

The France international, a 2018 World Cup winner, now joins a list of high-profile players facing injury doubts ahead of the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, which begins on June 11. Others include Netherlands midfielder Xavi Simons, Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, and Spain’s rising star Lamine Yamal.

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