Mbappé Denies That Real Madrid Examined the Wrong Knee After His Injury

Boston—Kylian Mbappé moved quickly on Wednesday to quash reports that Real Madrid doctors initially scanned the wrong knee after he sustained a left-knee sprain in December, calling the story “false” and suggesting that his own silence on the injury had fueled speculation.

The claim surfaced this week on the French television program After Foot, broadcast by RMC Sport, and was echoed by several Spanish outlets. The reports alleged that Madrid’s medical staff first imaged Mbappé’s right knee rather than the injured left one, potentially delaying proper treatment.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of France’s World Cup tune-up against Brazil, Mbappé said: “The report that said that they examined the wrong knee is false. I am maybe responsible indirectly for this situation, because when you don’t communicate on what’s happening, it opens doors to others’ interpretations.”

Real Madrid announced in late December that the forward had sprained his left knee. Mbappé continued playing through January before being sidelined for three-and-a-half weeks; he has since returned as a substitute in the club’s last two matches. On Monday in Paris he told reporters the joint now “feels fine” and that the prolonged uncertainty had weighed on him.

“There was a lot of frustration, a lot of anger, and then also some anxiety at one point,” he said. “I had reached a stage where I didn’t know what was wrong with me. I didn’t go through that period in the best way. I wasn’t the happiest player in the world. But I’m happy now because it’s truly behind me. It’s all gone.”

Mbappé stressed that he maintains “very clear communication” with Madrid’s medical and coaching staffs. France meets Brazil on Thursday at Foxborough and closes its window against Colombia on Sunday in Landover.