Kylian Mbappe injury claims questioned after Paris appearance with girlfriend

Kylian Mbappe’s decision to remain in Paris rather than attend treatment at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training centre has raised questions in Spain over the extent of his knee injury.

The France captain returned to Real Madrid for treatment after being injured while on international duty. He will miss France’s Nations League meeting with Italy on Friday, a match that will be Zinedine Zidane’s first as the national team’s manager on French soil.

Mbappe scored the winning goal against Turkey last Friday before leaving the pitch with the injury. Real Madrid later issued a statement after its medical team examined the forward.

“After the examinations carried out today by Real Madrid’s medical team on our player Kylian Mbappe, he has been diagnosed with a tear to the posterior capsule of his left knee. His condition will be monitored closely,” the club said.

Real Madrid did not specify how long Mbappe would be unavailable, as is customary when the club announces an injury. Spanish media reports have suggested different timeframes, with some predicting an absence of two weeks and others saying he could be out for only 10 days.

AS reported that Mbappe had avoided the worst-case scenario of a serious injury requiring surgery. The former Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain player is understood to be in good condition, although Real Madrid had expected him to miss several weeks.

Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho are continuing to consider alternative options in case Mbappe does not recover fully, but neither is said to be angered by the forward’s movements.

Spanish television programme El Chiringuito reported on Thursday that Mbappe had not visited Valdebebas during the previous two days, despite being injured and requiring treatment.

“One thing is puzzling. He arrives injured from France but does not receive treatment in the city where he plays,” one guest on the programme said.

The programme supported its report with video footage and photographs that appeared to show Mbappe in Paris with his girlfriend, Ester Exposito. The images have prompted considerable discussion in Spain.

It is not the first time Mbappe’s travel plans during an injury have attracted attention. His trip to Sardinia while injured last season caused a similar reaction.

It remains unclear whether Mbappe had permission from Real Madrid and the club’s medical staff to travel, although that is considered likely. His absence from the training ground has nevertheless provided fresh material for those who believe he has exaggerated or pretended to be injured.

El Chiringuito TV also published footage on 1 October 2026 alongside the caption: “Mbappe, injured and in Paris”, crediting Marcos Benito with reporting that the forward had not been to Valdebebas for the previous two days.