The 27-year-old, a world champion in 2018, was dogged by a knee issue which lasted for two months earlier this season. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe is a doubt for the El Clasico on May 10 after the club confirmed on Monday that he has sustained a thigh injury.

“He has been diagnosed with an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg,” said Los Blancos in a statement, after the France captain went off injured during Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Real Betis in La Liga last Friday.

Madrid, second in the Spanish top flight and trailing leader Barcelona by 11 points, faces Espanyol on Sunday before taking on the Catalan giant the following weekend.

Real Madrid initially indicated Mbappe had suffered a muscular overload, but further tests showed its top goalscorer was injured.

If Madrid drops points against Espanyol without him and Barcelona defeats Osasuna on Saturday, Hansi Flick’s side will be crowned champion for a second-successive season.

Mbappe has been troubled by injury this season, generating concern in France with the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico starting on June 11.

The 27-year-old, a world champion in 2018, was dogged by a knee issue which lasted for two months, the longest absence of his career, and admitted it caused him “frustration, anger and anxiety”.

Published on Apr 27, 2026