Kylian Mbappe’s recent injury against Atalanta might not appear to be serious at first glance, but it is a growing concern for the Spanish giants, particularly given the number of games they still have to play this season.
Real Madrid, already hit hard by a series of injuries to key players, may find this latest setback to Mbappe just another obstacle in an already difficult campaign.
The team has already lost two crucial players for the season, with Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal sidelined for the remainder of the year.
To make matters worse, other star players like Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Vinicius Jr., and Rodrygo have also dealt with short-term injuries.
These ongoing issues have affected the team’s overall performance and hindered their ability to field their strongest lineup consistently.
The shocking figure
Ferland Mendy picked an injury against Girona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Real Madrid’s injury troubles have been staggering, with 27 injuries so far this season, a number that exceeds the amount of matches they have played. This puts their current situation into perspective.
After a tough run of games, including eight matches that ended with 12 injuries, the team found brief relief in their victories over Getafe and Athletic Club.
However, that positive momentum was short-lived, as injuries returned in the following matches.
In their visit to Girona, Ferland Mendy sustained a muscle injury to his right quadriceps, and Mbappe left the game against Atalanta with discomfort in his left thigh. These injuries add to the already long list of issues facing the squad.
Despite the overwhelming number of injuries, Real Madrid have continued to fight on all fronts.
They remain in contention for the La Liga title, are still alive in the Champions League, and are aiming for the Intercontinental Cup, which could provide them with their second trophy of the season, even in the face of such adversity.
A look at detailed numbers
Real Madrid are averaging more than one injury per match. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
To make matters worse, Real Madrid have been dealing with more than one injury per game. Their match against Atalanta marked the 23rd game of the season, and by that point, the team had already suffered 27 injuries.
These injuries have ranged from traumatic to muscular and even general discomfort.
Interestingly, there are other instances of setbacks that have not been counted in this tally. For example, goalkeeper Andriy Lunin struggled with gastroenteritis in October, which prevented him from joining his national team.
Meanwhile, among the first-team squad, only a handful of players have remained injury-free throughout the season.
Fran Garcia, Antonio Rudiger, Federico Valverde, Luka Modric, Arda Guler, Endrick, and Lunin are the few players who have avoided injuries thus far.
However, even this small group has had its share of challenges, and they are among the very few who can say they have been available to coach Carlo Ancelotti consistently.
There is something positive
Most of Real Madrid’s injuries have been short-term. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Interestingly, only three players have faced injuries that kept them out for more than a month. Camavinga, for example, was sidelined for a month and a half (nine games) due to a sprained ankle right before the Super Cup.
Brahim Diaz missed 39 days (eight games) after injuring the long adductor muscle in his left leg, and Dani Ceballos was out for 32 days (six games) due to a sprained right ankle.
These long-term injuries have had a significant impact on the team’s depth and ability to rotate players effectively.
Despite the congested fixture list, no other player has missed five consecutive games so far.
This shows that Real Madrid have managed to cope with these issues somewhat, but it is clear that the number of injuries and the recurring nature of the setbacks are a cause for concern.
As the season progresses, the club will need to find ways to manage these injuries effectively if they are to stay competitive in all competitions. If the trend continues, it may ultimately hinder their chances of success this season.