Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé sidelined with knee injury

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French forward Kylian Mbappé, centre, attends the African Cup of Nations Group A soccer match between Morocco and Mali in Rabat, Friday, Morocco 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

France's Kylian Mbappé watches from the stands during the Africa Cup of Nations group F soccer match between Ivory Coast and Cameroon, in Marrakech, Morocco, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) — French forward Kylian Mbappé, centre, attends the African Cup of Nations Group A soccer match between Morocco and Mali in Rabat, Friday, Morocco 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

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9:47 AM on Wednesday, December 31

The Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has injured his left knee, the Spanish club said on Wednesday.

Madrid said in a brief statement the France superstar had been diagnosed with a sprain but did not provide a timeline for his recovery.

French sports daily newspaper L'Equipe said Mbappé would be unavailable for at least three weeks, without quoting a source.

L'Equipe added that Mbappé had been suffering for several weeks from an issue with the lateral ligament in his knee, and an MRI carried out on Wednesday morning revealed a lesion that requires treatment and rest.

The striker has been in great form. Earlier this month, Mbappé scored his 59th goal for Madrid in 2025, tying the club record for the most in a year held by Cristiano Ronaldo.

The former Paris Saint-Germain player, who joined Madrid in the summer of 2024, has scored 29 times for Madrid this season, including a league-leading 18.

Mbappé was at Africa Cup of Nations games between host Morocco and Mali on Friday and Cameroon vs. Ivory Coast on Sunday.

Madrid's next game is on Sunday against Real Betis in La Liga.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer