Kylian Mbappe was forced to leave Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League match against Atalanta during the first half due to a thigh injury, adding to the club’s mounting injury concerns this season. The French forward went down near the halfway line in the 35th minute, leaving fans initially unsure about the nature of the problem. Subsequent updates confirmed it was a thigh injury, and he is set to undergo further tests to determine its severity, as reported by The Athletic.
After receiving brief medical attention on the pitch, Mbappe was substituted for Rodrygo, who had recently returned to action following his own recovery from a muscle injury.
The injury came as a blow to Mbappe, who had started the game on a high note. Within 36 minutes, he managed three attempts on goal and scored the opener in the 10th minute—his second goal in this Champions League campaign. The goal came from a perfectly timed pass by Brahim Diaz into the penalty area. Positioned at the edge of the box, Mbappe surged forward, controlled the ball, and delivered a precise strike into the bottom left corner of the net.
As the first half progressed, Real Madrid’s performance began to falter. Atalanta grew more assertive, eventually surpassing the Spanish side in shot attempts. Just before halftime, Real Madrid conceded a penalty, which Charles De Ketelaere successfully converted in the second minute of stoppage time, leveling the score at 1-1.
This isn’t the first time Mbappe has faced injury issues since joining Real Madrid in the summer. Earlier this season, he was sidelined with a short-term muscle injury, forcing him to miss the team’s 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in September.
