French football superstar Kylian Mbappé has publicly refuted media allegations that Real Madrid conducted medical examinations on the incorrect leg following his knee injury in late 2023. The claims, initially reported by French sports program “After Foot” on RMC Sport and subsequently circulated by Spanish media outlets, suggested club medical staff had mistakenly scanned his right knee instead of the injured left one in December.
At a press conference preceding France’s World Cup preparatory match against Brazil, Mbappé categorically denied these reports. “The report that said that they examined the wrong knee is false,” the forward stated, while acknowledging his own role in the speculation. “I am maybe responsible indirectly for this situation, because when you don’t communicate on what’s happening, it opens doors to others’ interpretations.”
The injury, officially diagnosed by Real Madrid as a left knee sprain in late December, sidelined Mbappé for approximately three and a half weeks after he played through January. The player has since made a gradual return to competition, appearing as a substitute in Real Madrid’s two most recent matches.
Mbappé emphasized the transparency of his current relationship with the Spanish club, noting he maintains “very clear communication” with Real Madrid. Speaking at a promotional event in Paris, the athlete reflected on the psychological toll of his recovery process: “There was a lot of frustration, a lot of anger, and then also some anxiety at one point. 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.”
The French national team is scheduled to play Brazil on Thursday in Foxborough, Massachusetts, followed by a match against Colombia on Sunday in Landover, Maryland.