Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe is a major doubt for next month’s El Clasico after suffering a hamstring injury in the 1-1 La Liga draw with Real Betis on Friday.
The France captain was replaced after 81 minutes and subsequent tests confirmed a muscle problem that has left the Spanish giants anxiously awaiting his recovery ahead of the clash with Barcelona on May 10.
In a statement released on Monday, April 27, the club said: “Following tests carried out today on our player Kylian Mbappe by the Real Madrid medical services, he has been diagnosed with a semitendinosus muscle injury in his left leg. His recovery will be monitored.”
Madrid travel to Espanyol this weekend before heading to the Camp Nou for the season’s final Clasico. They sit second in La Liga, 11 points behind leaders Barcelona with only five matches left, meaning the title race could be settled before the rivals meet.
The injury compounds a difficult run for Madrid, who were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Bayern Munich last week and now face the prospect of ending the campaign without silverware.
Mbappe’s absence would be a huge blow. The striker has delivered 41 goals in 41 matches across all competitions this season, including 24 in La Liga and 15 in Europe.
The timing is also far from ideal for the 27-year-old with the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico starting on 11 June, where he is expected to lead France.
