Mbappe causes concern for the French national team

Real Madrid drew with Real Betis in La Liga, but the team's greater concern is the state of Kylian Mbappe, who asked to be substituted late in the game because of injury symptoms.

Real Madrid regrettably dropped two points in the La Liga race when Real Betis equalized in the closing minutes of the match in round 33. However, what worries the Spanish Royal team and the French national team even more is the condition of Kylian Mbappe, as he signaled to be substituted just minutes before the game ended.

With the 2026 World Cup only 48 days away, the striker born in 1998 voluntarily left the field in the 81st minute due to signs of physical issues. Notably, immediately after being substituted, Mbappe did not stay on the bench but went straight to the dressing room.

RARE MOMENT AS MBAPPE ASKS TO BE SUBBED-OFF.LOOKS LIKE HE'S INJURED!!#RealBetisRealMadridpic.twitter.com/67v07Uinj8

— StatPad Football(@StatPadFootball) April 24, 2026

Initial information from Spain suggests this may only be a minor muscle issue. However, Real Madrid will still await detailed medical examination results to accurately determine the extent of the star's injury.

If Mbappe suffers a serious injury, coach Alvaro Arbeloa will certainly face a difficult tactical problem, especially since his squad has already been ravaged by a series of injuries.

If the worst scenario occurs, Mbappe will join the long list of injured players over many months, with notable names like Thibaut Courtois still recovering from a tear injury, or Rodrygo still unable to return after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee early in the season.

Real Madrid's defense is also suffering heavy losses after losing Eder Militao. The Brazilian defender just returned after a long absence but sustained a left thigh muscle injury in the win against Alaves, officially ruling him out until the end of the season.

Similarly, Arda Guler also had to bid farewell to the season early due to a hamstring injury, leaving coach Arbeloa increasingly short on options as the season enters its decisive phase.

The match against Real Betis was seen as a crucial opportunity for Real Madrid to keep their title hopes alive. However, conceding a goal at a decisive moment dealt a heavy blow to their ambitions, while allowing Barcelona to emerge as the strongest contender for the La Liga crown.

After this round of matches, Barcelona has created an 8-point gap over Real Madrid and has played one fewer game. If they win against Getafe, Hansi Flick's team will extend the lead to 11 points with only 5 rounds remaining, nearly closing the title race.