Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe faces a race against time to be fit for next week’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup final after being diagnosed with a left thigh injury.
The Frenchman was substituted in the first half of Madrid’s 3-2 UEFA Champions League victory over Atalanta on Tuesday, having opened the scoring with a 10th-minute goal. Speaking afterwards, manager Carlo Ancelotti described the issue as ischial discomfort and downplayed its severity, though further tests were required.
On Wednesday, Madrid issued a statement confirming the diagnosis.
“Following tests carried out on Kylian Mbappe by the Real Madrid medical department, the player has been diagnosed with a thigh injury in his left leg. His progress will be monitored,” the club said.
Mbappe, who also scored in Madrid’s 3-0 LaLiga win over Girona on Sunday, has endured an inconsistent first campaign to date with Los Blancos. He is likely to miss Saturday’s league game against Rayo Vallecano and will be a doubt for the Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar on December 18.
Real Madrid await either Pachuca or Al Ahly in the final, with the latter pair to meet in a semi-final on Saturday.
