PARIS — French football sensation Kylian Mbappé has confidently declared his complete recovery from a persistent left knee injury that sidelined him for several weeks, delivering encouraging news for France’s World Cup preparations. The Real Madrid striker, who joined the Spanish giants in 2024 after his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, revealed his physical and emotional journey through rehabilitation during a media engagement on Monday.
Mbappé acknowledged experiencing significant frustration and anxiety during his recovery period, particularly when the nature of his injury remained undiagnosed. ‘I had reached a stage where I didn’t know what was wrong with me,’ the star forward confessed. ‘I wasn’t the happiest player in the world during that phase, but I’m genuinely pleased to confirm that chapter is definitively closed.’
The injury occurred as a knee sprain late last year, disrupting what had been an exceptional season for the prolific scorer. After playing through January despite discomfort, Mbappé ultimately required three-and-a-half weeks of intensive recovery before making his cautious return to play.
The 25-year-old emphasized his deliberate approach to rehabilitation, explaining: ‘My priority was avoiding premature return that might trigger secondary injuries. While I wasn’t specifically concerned about re-injuring the same knee, I recognized the risk of compensating weaknesses elsewhere after extended inactivity.’
Mbappé also addressed what he termed ‘completely baseless’ speculation regarding his condition during absence. Contrary to circulating rumors about potential surgery or World Cup exclusion, the striker maintained that even he lacked clear diagnosis initially, making external assessments particularly unfounded.
Despite his absence, Real Madrid maintained strong performance levels, currently holding second position in La Liga while preparing for upcoming Champions League quarterfinal clashes against Bayern Munich.
With 38 goals across 35 appearances this season, Mbappé now looks toward international friendlies against Brazil and Colombia as crucial preparation for France’s World Cup campaign in North America. The tournament, hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, represents another opportunity for Mbappé to add to his already remarkable international achievements—including his historic 2022 World Cup final hat-trick and becoming the second teenager after Pelé to score in a World Cup final.