Real Madrid forward’s status for Super Cup ‘unknown’ after playing 270 minutes with injury

Real Madrid are sweating over the fitness of superstar forward Kylian Mbappe ahead of a crucial week where they contest for their first trophy of the season in the form of the Spanish Super Cup.

The bad news of the Frenchman’s injury was delivered on New Year’s Eve, with scans revealing ligament damage in the player’s knee, sidelining him potentially for three weeks.

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However, Mbappe is set to travel with the rest of the squad to Saudi Arabia for the Super Cup, with there still being some hope of him featuring even if he is not at 100%.

Status ‘unknown’

But, according to AS, while it is not impossible for Mbappe to play a part in the Super Cup, at this point, it would take a miracle for him to be ready.

Inside the club, nobody dares to issue a verdict. The word being used is simple: “unknown”.

As per the report, Mbappe’s knee issue has been lingering since the Celta Vigo game back on 7 December. Even so, a small sense of hope still exists, both internally and in the player’s own mind.

Mbappe’s injury has become a major concern at Real Madrid. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

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Everything depends on the level of inflammation in the area, but the timeframes usually associated with this type of injury, in the best-case scenario, are around two to three weeks out.

The medical report was issued on New Year’s Eve, and the Super Cup semi-final against Atletico Madrid is scheduled for 8 January. The final, should Real Madrid reach it, would be on Sunday the 11th.

Pushing himself to the limit

Mbappe’s importance to Real Madrid has led him to push himself to the maximum, but the knee has finally said enough.

Against Manchester City, the first match after Celta, he did not play, the only one of the 25 he has missed.

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However, he played the full matches against Alaves and Sevilla in La Liga, and even against Talavera in the Copa del Rey. In total, 270 minutes with the joint damaged, without being at full capacity, until the moment came to stop.

Now, with the Super Cup on the line his absence is a major concern. That is why Real Madrid are exhausting every possibility. But for now, the status is seen as ‘unknown’.