Real Madrid's medical staff erred in diagnosing Kylian Mbappé's knee injury in December, examining images of his right leg while the issue was in the left. The Frenchman played several full matches in pain before receiving the correct diagnosis a month later. Mbappé found the proper treatment in Paris in early March.
Kylian Mbappé injured his left knee on December 7 during the match against Celta de Vigo. Real Madrid's doctors examined MRI images of his right knee and concluded there was no serious injury, according to sources confirmed by RMC Sport and this newspaper. Consequently, Mbappé missed the Champions League game against Manchester City on December 10 but played full 90 minutes against Alavés on the 14th, Talavera on the 17th in the Cup, and Sevilla on the 20th, despite ongoing discomfort. At the open-door training session on December 30 at Valdebebas, he showed signs of pain. The next day, tests revealed a sprain in his left knee, as per the club's official report. Real Madrid sources state there were no dismissals in the medical department, though Niko Mihic returned as head of medical services. Mbappé sought a second opinion in Paris in early March from Dr. Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet at the Centre Orthopedique Santy in Lyon. The club stated the diagnosis and conservative treatment were confirmed, but Mbappé said on Monday: «I was lucky to find the right diagnosis upon arriving in Paris» and «Not knowing what was wrong caused me a lot of frustration and anger». He stayed in France until March 8, resumed training on the 11th, and played limited minutes against Manchester City on the 17th and in the derby against Atlético on Sunday. Current coach Álvaro Arbeloa downplayed concerns over his call-up to France.
