France captain and Kylian Mbappe traveled to Paris on Monday for treatment on a knee injury, with no surgical intervention planned, according to his entourage and Real Madrid.
The forward has been diagnosed with a sprain in his left knee and is following a “conservative” treatment plan under the supervision of French specialists and Real Madrid medical staff. “Mbappe is undergoing further tests on his knee with the aim of optimising his follow-up care and preparing for his comeback. No surgical intervention is being planned at the moment,” his camp said.
The injury, affecting the external ligament of his left knee, has kept Mbappe sidelined since the end of 2025, causing him to miss last week’s Champions League play-off second leg against Benfica. Real Madrid confirmed the diagnosis after tests by French doctors.
Coach Alvaro Arbeloa explained that the approach was a collective decision between the player, medical staff, and the French national team to ensure a full recovery: “It’s not going to be a question of days; it will be a bit longer, but hopefully not too long.”
Mbappe, who has scored 38 goals in 33 appearances this season, faces uncertainty over his availability for the Champions League last-16 tie against Manchester City, scheduled for March 11 and March 17.
France’s national team also hopes to have him fit for friendlies in the United States later this month against Brazil on March 26 in Boston and Colombia in Washington on March 29, ahead of their World Cup opener against Senegal on June 16.
