There is no question that Kylian Mbappe remains one of the finest players in world football.
In the 2025/26 campaign, the forward sits atop both the La Liga scoring charts and the Champions League goal rankings by a healthy margin as of February 25. He is even chasing Cristiano Ronaldo’s all-time single-season Champions League record.
Because of that, any time Mbappe is missing from the pitch it draws attention — particularly with the FIFA World Cup approaching this summer and France eager to have their talisman fully fit to spearhead their campaign.
In the short term, Real Madrid will be hoping his absence is not too costly when they welcome Benfica in the second leg of their Champions League knockout playoff tie.
The Sporting News reviews Mbappe’s ongoing injury problem, how it has impacted his season so far, and whether it could sideline him for longer than expected.
What injury does Kylian Mbappe have?
So far, Mbappe’s problem has only been described as “knee soreness” or “knee pain.”
Beyond that, very little detail has been made public about an issue that has forced him to miss matches at different times this season, though never for extended periods.
Real Madrid are likely aware of the exact nature of the injury but have chosen not to disclose more information, believing there is no need to go into specifics as long as Mbappe remains available for most fixtures.
How long is Kylian Mbappe out?
At present, there is no clear timeline for Mbappe’s return. However, there is nothing to suggest he will be sidelined for more than one or two matches, similar to previous spells when the knee problem resurfaced.
The only confirmed absence so far is for the second leg against Benfica in the Champions League knockout playoff round.
How many games has Kylian Mbappe missed this season?
Missing the Benfica match will be just the sixth time Mbappe has been unavailable for Real Madrid during the 2025/26 season.
On two occasions, he was included in the squad but did not play, while he was completely absent from the matchday lineup four times.
Games missed in 2025/26 by Kylian Mbappe
Will Kylian Mbappe need knee surgery?
Without full knowledge of the injury’s severity, it is impossible to determine whether surgery will be required.
That said, the longer the knee issue continues, the greater the possibility that medical intervention could become necessary at some stage.
With the 2026 World Cup approaching this summer and Mbappe keen to remain fit to represent France in the tournament, questions will naturally arise over whether he may need to prioritise international duty over club football to ensure he is fully prepared for FIFA’s flagship event with Les Bleus.
