Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe is in Paris for additional tests and treatment on his left knee injury but is not expecting to undergo surgery at this time, his camp have told The Athletic.
The 27-year-old has been experiencing knee pain since December and has missed several matches, including a win over Real Sociedad in La Liga on February 14 and the Supercopa de Espana semi-final against Atletico Madrid on January 8.
The France international’s last appearance came in the 2-1 defeat to Osasuna on February 21 and he is missing Madrid’s fixture against Getafe on Monday “in agreement with the club” as “additional tests are being carried out in order to assess the progress of his knee injury”.
Mbappe’s camp also told The Athletic that “surgery is not being considered” at this stage.
Madrid confirmed before Monday’s clash with Getafe that “the suitability of conservative treatment being followed has been confirmed” on the forward’s “sprained left knee”. The course of treatment, the Spanish side said, is “pending evolution”. Club sources have also agreed that surgery is not being considered at this time.
Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa admitted on Sunday that Mbappe was a doubt for Madrid’s Champions League round-of-16 first leg against Manchester City on March 11.
“(We want Mbappe to) totally recover from the discomfort so he can come back at 100 per cent, with complete confidence and security,” he said. “When he feels totally recovered and that discomfort has disappeared, we’ll see (if he can play against Man City).
“Day by day. Right now, it’s better not to give a timeline. We’ll see how he feels, and based on that, we’ll decide. We want him to return at 100 per cent, and when that happens, he’ll be back.”
Mbappe has scored 38 goals in 33 games for Real Madrid and another eight goals for France. Only Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane has scored more goals for club and country in one of Europe’s top leagues this season (60).
The 27-year-old registered five goals and three assists as captain last year to help the national team qualify for this summer’s World Cup, which is hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. France are due to kick off their tournament against Senegal on June 16.
