Mbappé Delivers a Historic Start for Madrid, but a Late Injury Scare Looms Over Bernabéu

Mbappé’s historic start meets a late injury scare at the Bernabéu

Kylian Mbappé continued to write new chapters in his dazzling Madrid saga, but this time the numbers were tempered by a clear worry among the home crowd. The French star left the Santiago Bernabéu pitch with an apparent issue after Madrid’s 3-1 victory over Villarreal in La Liga matchweek eight, casting a shadow over a night otherwise dominated by goals.

In a game where Vinícius Júnior struck twice and Mbappé added the decisive third, Opta confirmed Mbappé extended his goalscoring run to nine consecutive appearances for club and country, a personal milestone that surpassed his previous eight-match run from late 2019/early 2020 and again in mid-2025. He has now tallied 14 goals in 10 appearances across all competitions this season, marking the best European start of his career so far.

The numbers also eclipsed his opening burst for Paris Saint‑Germain in 2018-2019, when he scored 12 in his first 10 matches. His form under Xabi Alonso underlines Madrid’s attacking potential, with Mbappé acting as the pivotal engine behind the team’s creative spark and goal threat.

However, the mood shifted when Mbappé went down in the 82nd minute, clutching his right ankle. He walked off without additional support, and the medical staff immediately sprang into action. While the team later said the issue was not serious, the incident left fans anxious as France would also be calling him up for national duty in the upcoming World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Initial club communications suggested a minor muscular discomfort or a possible ankle sprain, with a definitive prognosis to come after further medical evaluation in Madrid. The decision on his participation for France will hinge on those tests, underscoring the fragile balance between club responsibilities and international duty.

100 appearances and counting

Beyond Mbappé’s exploits, Opta highlighted Aurélien Tchouaméni’s milestone as part of a broader French imprint at Madrid’s La Liga history, led by Benzema’s 439 matches and a lineage that includes Varane, Zidane, Mendy, and Camavinga. Tchouaméni’s recent 100th La Liga appearance officially joined the list of French centurions to star for the club, a reflection of the school of French influence powering Madrid’s modern era.

Mbappé–Vinícius: back to the deadly partnership

The win restored Madrid’s killer instinct in attack, with Mbappé and Vinícius forming a devastating partnership. Vinícius opened the scoring, Mbappé added a late third, and the Brazilian’s brace sealed a 3-1 result that delivered 14 goals for Mbappé this season, nine of them in La Liga. Mbappé’s speed and movement between lines continue to redefine Madrid’s approach, proving yet again why he is the game-changer in the final third.

Madrid’s victory lifted the team to 21 points from eight games, with seven wins and one loss, solidifying a temporary lead at the top of La Liga. Barcelona sit two points behind with 19 after a game in hand, while Villarreal remain in third on 16 as they chase consistency this campaign.