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Real Madrid’s hard-fought 3–1 victory over Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu brought momentary joy to fans, but celebrations were quickly overshadowed by a worrying sight — Kylian Mbappe limping off the pitch with an apparent ankle injury.
Mbappe’s Injury Overshadows Real Madrid’s Win
The French superstar, who has been pivotal for Los Blancos since joining the club, appeared in visible discomfort late in the match. After scoring a goal and providing an assist — his 14th goal contribution of the 2025–26 campaign — Mbappe went down clutching his right ankle, prompting immediate concern from teammates and medical staff.
He was attended to on the field before being escorted to the sidelines. While the 26-year-old managed to walk off under his own power, he headed straight down the tunnel with just seven minutes remaining in the match, raising fears about a potential layoff.
According to ESPN, Kylian Mbappe sustained a mild sprain in his right ankle, which forced manager Xabi Alonso to substitute him in the 83rd minute, replacing him with Rodrygo.
Xabi Alonso provides a brief update
Following the match, Alonso addressed the striker’s condition but remained cautious in his comments.
“Mbappe? He’s experiencing some slight discomfort,” Alonso said in his post-match press conference. “We’ll see how his condition improves.”
The Real Madrid boss’ brief remarks did little to calm supporters’ nerves as the club heads into the October international break, where Mbappe is expected to join the French national team.
A grueling start to the season
Kylian Mbappe’s injury scare comes after a relentless run of fixtures. The forward has started 12 consecutive games for both club and country this season — logging at least 81 minutes in each appearance. Alongside another unnamed teammate, he remains one of only two players to start every match under Alonso.
Despite the heavy workload, the Frenchman has maintained dazzling form, scoring 14 goals in all competitions and finding the net in nine straight matches. His exceptional run has been central to Real Madrid’s strong start to the season, but the strain is beginning to show.
Doubt over international duty
The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers could further test Mbappe’s resilience, with France scheduled to face Azerbaijan and Iceland. While the international break could serve as a recovery window, it remains uncertain whether the French Football Federation will risk his participation given his current condition.
As Real Madrid anxiously awaits updates, fans and pundits alike will be hoping that Kylian Mbappe’s injury is nothing more than a minor setback — one that won’t derail both his exceptional form and Real Madrid’s title ambitions this season.
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