Mbappé MRI error at Real Madrid led to misdiagnosis of knee injury, delaying treatment for the France forward’s ligament tear

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, was at the centre of a concerning medical controversy after reports emerged that a misread magnetic resonance imaging scan led to a delayed diagnosis of a serious knee injury sustained in December 2025.

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According to a report published by The Athletic, the France international was mistakenly scanned on his right knee instead of the injured left knee during initial medical assessments at Real Madrid, a critical oversight that failed to detect the extent of the damage.

The Mbappé MRI error meant the 26-year-old forward was initially cleared to continue playing, despite already experiencing swelling and discomfort following a collision in a La Liga match against Celta Vigo.

As a result, Mbappé went on to feature in three additional matches, completing full 90-minute appearances, before further medical checks eventually revealed a partial tear of the posterior cruciate ligament in the correct knee.

Real Madrid later issued a general update describing the issue as a knee sprain, advising a cautious recovery plan, but internal reassessments reportedly uncovered the severity of the injury weeks later.

The incident has raised serious questions around diagnostic procedures within elite football medical departments, with the Mbappé MRI error now seen as a significant turning point in how the injury was managed during a crucial stage of the season.

Despite the setback, Mbappé attempted to continue playing through discomfort, including appearances in high-profile fixtures before eventually being ruled out of several matches as his condition worsened.

The forward has since travelled to Paris for further specialist treatment as medical teams continue to monitor his recovery timeline, with concerns still lingering over his long-term fitness.

The controversy comes at a critical moment for Real Madrid, who have already faced managerial instability and squad rotation challenges during a demanding campaign.

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Football analysts have described the situation as a stark reminder of the fine margins in elite sport, where even minor administrative or diagnostic errors can have major consequences on player health and team performance.