Ethan Mbappé is set to spend several weeks on the sidelines after Lille confirmed the midfielder has suffered a tendon injury to his right thigh, delaying his hopes of establishing himself with the club.
The diagnosis was announced by head coach Bruno Génésio during a press conference, ending speculation around the extent of the problem.
Medical examinations revealed a ruptured tendon in Mbappé’s right thigh. While the rupture is not complete, the injury is serious enough to rule the 17-year-old out of action for an extended period, with an absence of at least two months expected.
The setback comes at a delicate moment in Mbappé’s young career. Having recently joined Lille, the midfielder had been working to adapt to his new environment and earn regular opportunities.
The enforced break now places that progress on hold, forcing the club’s medical staff and coaching team to carefully manage his recovery.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the announcement, Mbappé chose to address the situation directly on social media.
In a message posted on Instagram on Wednesday evening, he struck a determined tone, acknowledging the challenge ahead while underlining his ambition to return stronger.
“A new stage that we will have to overcome to come back even stronger than before and finally be able to definitively launch my Lille adventure… See you soon!” he wrote.
Those words reflect both frustration and resolve, sentiments shared by many young players facing early career injuries.
For Lille, the focus now turns to ensuring the midfielder’s rehabilitation is handled without haste, with no desire to risk aggravating the problem by rushing him back into competition.
Bruno Génésio’s comments suggested there were no surprises in the medical assessment, reinforcing that caution will be central to the club’s approach.
The injury does not require immediate surgical intervention, but the expected recovery time means Mbappé will miss a significant portion of the current phase of the season.
Despite the disappointment, there is optimism that the absence will not derail his longer-term development. Lille’s staff believe the situation can serve as a learning period, allowing the teenager to return with renewed physical strength and mental resilience.
For now, Mbappé’s priority is recovery rather than results on the pitch. His message indicates a clear determination to treat the injury as a stepping stone rather than a setback, with the promise of a return once his body allows.
Lille supporters, meanwhile, will be hoping patience is rewarded when the midfielder is finally able to resume his long-awaited breakthrough.
