Kylian Mbappé given time for left knee sprain, no surgery planned | OneFootball

Medical tests in France, overseen by Real Madrid staff, have confirmed Kylian Mbappé has a left knee sprain. His return date is unknown.

He stayed on the bench in the Champions League league phase defeat to Manchester City, 1-2. His entourage told AFP that no surgery is planned at this stage, the aim being to optimise his care and prepare the best possible return.

Mbappé was neither on the pitch nor in the stands against Getafe on Monday in La Liga, as he was in Paris by mutual agreement with the club for further examinations on a knee that has troubled him since 7 December.

Real Madrid hope his absence will not exceed three weeks in total and are targeting at least the round of 16 second leg at Manchester City on 17 March. The France captain, 27, has 38 goals in 33 matches.

The sprain was already identified on 31 December, yet he played for two and a half months, often completing games when he started. He no longer plans to take risks, intending to return only when pain-free and fully fit to protect his end to the season with Real Madrid and, above all, his World Cup hopes.

His involvement in France’s friendlies against Brazil on 26 March and Colombia on 29 remains very uncertain. His presence with the squad in the United States is not in doubt for marketing and media duties, and any minutes would likely be very limited.

Source: L'Équipe