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Landover Today
By the People, for the People
Real Madrid Accused of Misdiagnosing Mbappé's Knee Injury
The French star says he experienced "a lot of frustration, a lot of anger" while dealing with the persistent issue.
Mar. 25, 2026 at 5:05am
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According to reports, Real Madrid medical staff performed an MRI scan on the wrong leg of Kylian Mbappé back in December, leading to a misdiagnosis of his knee injury as a sprain. The proper scan on December 31 revealed a partial posterior knee ligament tear, but Mbappé continued playing despite varying levels of pain. The incident has raised questions about the club's handling of the star player's injury.
Why it matters
This case highlights concerns about the medical care and injury management of high-profile athletes, especially as Mbappé prepares to lead France's national team in the upcoming 2026 World Cup. The misdiagnosis could have serious implications for Mbappé's long-term health and performance if not properly addressed.
The details
The Athletic's Guillermo Rai and Mario Cortegana reported that Real Madrid's medical staff performed an MRI scan on the wrong leg of Kylian Mbappé in December, leading them to classify his injury as a knee sprain. However, a proper scan on December 31 revealed a partial posterior knee ligament tear in Mbappé's left leg. Despite the injury, Mbappé continued playing, with his pain levels varying from day to day.
- In December, Real Madrid medical staff performed an MRI scan on the wrong leg of Kylian Mbappé.
- On December 31, a proper scan revealed a partial posterior knee ligament tear in Mbappé's left leg.
- Mbappé will continue working back into form with the French national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins in 79 days.
The players
Kylian Mbappé
A 27-year-old French national team star who currently plays for Real Madrid. He is preparing to lead France in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Real Madrid
The Spanish professional football club that Mbappé currently plays for, and whose medical staff is accused of misdiagnosing his knee injury.
What they’re saying
“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.”
— Kylian Mbappé
“This story makes no sense and, if true, actually makes Mbappé look just as bad. Doctors usually confirm the injury site multiple times before placing a large knee coil over the injured knee during an MRI. If the wrong knee was scanned, that means the doctor messed up, and Mbappé was so checked out that he didn't realize they put the device on his uninjured knee.”
— Joe Pompliano, Sports business reporter
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.
