In the 81st minute, with the score at 1-0, Mbappe signaled to be substituted. He walked off the pitch unassisted, but clearly in discomfort from pain in his left leg. Initial examinations revealed a left hamstring strain, and further tests will be conducted by doctors to determine his recovery time.
This injury is a significant blow for the French national team, as they have just one and a half months to prepare their squad before the World Cup 2026 kicks off on 11/6.
Mbappe has been France's most vital player for the past eight years. In the World Cup 2018, he scored 4 goals, leading the team to their first title in 20 years. Four years later, he scored 8 goals, earning the golden boot and guiding the team to a runner-up finish. Mbappe currently ranks second in all-time scoring for the national team with 56 goals, just one goal shy of Olivier Giroud's record.
 |
Mbappe experienced pain during the Betis 1-1 Real match in La Liga's 33rd round at La Cartuja stadium on the evening of 24/4. *Photo: EPA* |
France had already faced the loss of Hugo Ekitike for the World Cup. The Liverpool forward suffered a torn Achilles tendon, an injury requiring 9-12 months for recovery, during the Champions League quarter-final second leg against PSG. Additionally, after Real's 2-1 victory over Alaves on 21/4, two other Real players, Eder Militao and Arda Guler, also sustained hamstring injuries, ruling them out for the remainder of the season. Barca star Lamine Yamal also suffered the same injury.
Returning to the match in La Liga's 33rd round on the evening of 24/4, Real could not hold onto their lead after Mbappe left the field. In the 90+4th minute, with mere seconds remaining, Hector Bellerin equalized, making it 1-1 for Betis.
The draw at La Cartuja further diminished Real's hopes of preventing Barca from clinching the title early. If Barca wins their match against Getafe on the evening of 25/4, they will extend their lead over the second-placed team to 11 points with five remaining rounds.
The worst-case scenario for Real is to drop points again against Espanyol in the next round, while Barca secures a win against Osasuna. In that event, the league leaders would successfully defend their title just before the El Clasico match at Camp Nou.
Thanh Quy (via AS)
