The France captain was injured on Friday while scoring the only goal in a 1-0 Nations League win over Türkiye at Kocaeli Stadium in Izmit. He winced as teammates celebrated his 67th international goal, tried to continue after treatment, then left the pitch and was replaced by Désiré Doué.
Real Madrid said on Saturday: “Following tests carried out today by Real Madrid’s medical department on our player Kylian Mbappé, he has been diagnosed with a hyperextension of the posterior capsule of his left knee.”
Reports in Spain put the expected absence at 10 to 12 days. New France coach Zinedine Zidane said the national team would not take risks and would not use Mbappé in the three Nations League matches scheduled over the next 10 days. France travel to Belgium on Monday before hosting Italy and Belgium at the Stade de France on 2 and 5 October.
Real Madrid’s first game after the international break is against Villarreal on 10 October, which may come too soon. Spanish daily AS reported he should be ready for El Clásico against Barcelona on 25 October.
The diagnosis is a relief after last season’s complications with the same knee. Ligaments appear intact. Mbappé is Real Madrid’s main striker and France’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with 22 goals. Both clubs will monitor his progress over the next fortnight.