Real Madrid are facing fresh concerns over Kylian Mbappe after the French forward suffered an injury while representing France in their UEFA Nations League clash against Turkey in the early hours of Saturday (September 26, 2026).
Mbappe had been enjoying an impressive start to the 2026/27 season and once again made an impact by scoring France’s only goal of the match. However, his night ended on a worrying note after he appeared to struggle with a knee problem shortly after finding the net.
The 27-year-old initially returned to the pitch after receiving treatment on the sidelines. His comeback, however, lasted only a few minutes before he signalled to the France bench that he could no longer continue.
With Real Madrid closely monitoring the situation, France head coach Zinedine Zidane has admitted that Mbappe’s condition does not look encouraging.
Zinedine Zidane Delivers Concerning Update on Mbappe
Zidane provided an update on Mbappe after the match and confirmed that the forward is expected to return to Madrid for further medical examinations.
The France coach also made it clear that the national team did not want to take unnecessary risks with the Real Madrid star.
“This is not good. I think he will return to Madrid. We will not take any risks,” Zidane told reporters.
According to Zidane, Mbappe felt discomfort in his knee while taking the shot that resulted in his goal.
“He felt pressure in his knee when taking the shot. It is not very encouraging when you see his ability to continue playing. He did not feel well,” Zidane explained.
The situation means Mbappe is expected to miss France’s next three UEFA Nations League fixtures against Belgium twice and Italy.
For Real Madrid, the priority will now be determining exactly how serious the problem is.
Mbappe Set for Further Medical Tests
Before leaving the France camp, Mbappe is reportedly expected to undergo an initial examination by the national team’s medical staff.
According to journalist Alberto Pereiro, the French medical team planned to assess the forward before he returned to Spain. Mbappe is then expected to undergo further tests with Real Madrid’s medical staff.
Journalist Fabrice Hawkins has reported that the problem could involve a tendon. However, the length of Mbappe’s potential absence will depend on the severity of the injury.
At this stage, there is still no definitive timeline for his return.
Real Madrid are therefore expected to wait for the results of the medical examinations before making any clear assessment of Mbappe’s condition.
Real Madrid Could Lose Their Most Important Attacker
The timing of the injury is particularly concerning for Real Madrid because Mbappe has made an excellent start to the 2026/27 campaign.
The Frenchman has scored eight goals and provided two assists in eight appearances for Los Blancos so far this season.
His overall numbers since joining Real Madrid also highlight his importance to the team.
Since arriving at the Spanish club on a free transfer, Mbappe has registered 94 goals and 14 assists in 111 appearances across all competitions.
Those numbers underline the influence he has quickly established within Madrid’s attack.
Mbappe’s Real Madrid numbers:
- 111 appearances across all competitions
- 94 goals
- 14 assists
- 8 goals in the opening eight appearances of the 2026/27 season
- 2 assists during the same period
With such a significant attacking contribution, any extended absence would naturally become an important issue for Real Madrid.
The club will therefore be hoping that the injury is not as serious as the initial signs suggested.
When Could Mbappe Return for Real Madrid?
Real Madrid are scheduled to face Villarreal on October 10, giving the club a potential target date to monitor Mbappe’s condition.
However, it is currently too early to determine whether the forward will be fit for that match.
The answer will depend largely on the results of the medical tests once Mbappe returns to Madrid.
If the tendon issue proves to be minor, the French forward could potentially face a relatively short period on the sidelines. On the other hand, a more serious injury could require a longer recovery period.
For now, Real Madrid have no reason to rush the situation.
Protecting Mbappe’s long-term fitness will be more important than taking a risk with an immediate return.
Real Madrid Await Clarity on Mbappe Injury
Mbappe’s injury has quickly become one of the main concerns surrounding Real Madrid after the forward was forced off during France’s match against Turkey.
His goal showed that he was still capable of making an important contribution before the injury interrupted his evening. The fact that he tried to return before eventually signalling that he could not continue has only increased attention around the problem.
Zidane’s comments have also added to the uncertainty, particularly after the France coach admitted that Mbappe’s condition did not look good.
Still, no definitive recovery timeline has been established.
Real Madrid will now wait for Mbappe to arrive in Spain and undergo a complete medical assessment. The results should provide a clearer picture of the injury and determine how long the club could be without its leading attacking figure.
For now, Madrid supporters can only wait for the medical results and hope that Mbappe’s latest injury proves less serious than initially feared.
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