Kylian Mbappe forced off for Real Madrid with muscular discomfort

AlavésAthletic ClubAtlético MadridBarcelonaCelta de VigoElcheEspanyolGetafeGironaLevanteMallorcaOsasunaRayo VallecanoReal BetisReal MadridReal OviedoReal SociedadSevillaValenciaVillarrealPodcastsCopa del ReyKylian Mbappe forced off for Real Madrid with muscular discomfortMbappe was replaced in the second half against Real Betis Cristina Quicler/ AFP via Getty Images Share articleKylian Mbappe was forced off with muscular discomfort during Real Madrid’s draw with Real Betis on Friday. Mbappe, 27, was replaced by Gonzalo Garcia in the 81st minute of his side’s 1-1 draw at Estadio de La Cartuja. Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa said he was unsure of the severity of the issue and that the France international would be monitored. The potential injury comes 53 days before France begin their 2026 World Cup campaign against Senegal on June 16. “I’ve no idea,” Arbeloa told a post-match press conference. “He was feeling some discomfort and we’ll have to see how it develops.” Mbappe has contended with a left knee problem over the course of this season, having a series of short-term spells out of the side because of the issue. He has made 41 appearances in all competitions for Madrid, scoring 41 goals. The forward captains France at international level and has scored 56 goals in 96 appearances. That includes a hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final defeat to Argentina and the fourth goal as France beat Croatia 4-2 in the 2018 final. On Thursday, it was confirmed Mbappe’s Madrid team-mates, Turkey midfielder Arda Guler and Brazil defender Eder Militao, were set to be sidelined for the remainder of the season with respective hamstring injuries but were expected to be fit for the World Cup. Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by Betis on Friday after Vinicius Junior’s first-half opener was cancelled out by a 94th-minute Hector Bellerin equaliser. The result leaves Arbeloa’s side eight points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms