The 27-year-old sustained a knee issue in December during Real Madrid’s 2–0 defeat to Celta Vigo in La Liga, prompting the club’s medical team to conduct MRI scans.
But The New York Times has reported the initial scan was carried out on his right knee rather than his injured left knee, meaning no issue was detected at the time.
As a result, Mbappé continued to play in three further matches before the injury – later identified as a partial posterior knee ligament tear – was correctly diagnosed.
Real Madrid later confirmed the injury in a club statement but described it as a “sprain”.
The club said: “After the tests carried out today on our player Kylian Mbappé by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a sprain in his left knee.”
Reports indicated insiders within the club were aware of inflammation in Mbappé’s knee despite him continuing to play following the initial scan.
It has not been confirmed how the error in scanning the incorrect knee occurred.
Mbappé returned to action in Real Madrid’s 2–1 win over Manchester City in the Champions League, a result that secured a 5–1 aggregate victory and progression to the quarter-finals.
Despite the injury setback, he has maintained strong form in domestic competition, scoring 23 goals in 24 La Liga appearances.
Mbappé’s performances have placed him ahead of team-mate Vinícius Júnior in the league’s scoring charts, while he also leads the Champions League scoring standings with 13 goals.
He is three goals ahead of Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane in the competition.
Mbappé has since joined up with the France national team for upcoming international friendlies.
France are scheduled to face Brazil before taking on Colombia later in the month in the United States.
French forward Mbappé is widely regarded as one of football’s leading players.
He rose to prominence at Monaco, winning Ligue 1 before moving to Paris Saint-Germain, where he became the club’s all-time top scorer.
Mbappé won the World Cup with France in 2018 and starred again in 2022.
Known for pace and finishing, he later joined Real Madrid, continuing his success at an elite level.
