Kylian Mbappe’s highly anticipated debut for Real Madrid was cut short on Tuesday, July 16, as the French superstar was forced off with an injury during a pre-season friendly against AC Milan in Chicago.
The match, a 2-1 victory for Real Madrid, was meant to be a triumphant first step for Mbappe in the famous white shirt. Instead, it ended in concern. The forward started the game and showed flashes of his quality, but was substituted in the 30th minute after appearing to injure his left knee in a collision. He walked off the pitch unaided but was visibly uncomfortable.
Following the match, manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed the setback. “He took a knock to his knee. We’ll evaluate it tomorrow,” Ancelotti stated, providing the first official word on the incident. The club later issued a medical update, revealing that tests showed “a lesion in the external meniscus of his left knee.” Real Madrid confirmed the player will now travel to Dallas for further specialist evaluation to determine the full extent of the injury and the required treatment.
This injury casts a shadow over what was otherwise a positive night for Madrid, who secured a comeback win. Milan took the lead in the 25th minute through Luka Jovic. However, Madrid responded quickly, with new signing Jude Bellingham heading in an equalizer just three minutes later, in the 28th minute. The English midfielder then turned provider, setting up Federico Valverde for the winning goal in the 34th minute, completing the turnaround before halftime.
The focus, however, remains squarely on Mbappe. The injury presents an immediate challenge for Ancelotti’s planning, especially with the UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta looming on August 14. More broadly, it disrupts the crucial early phase of integrating the club’s marquee summer signing into the squad. All associated with Real Madrid will now anxiously await the results of the upcoming evaluation in Dallas, hoping the setback is only a minor one.
