Concern is growing in Spain regarding Kylian Mbappé's health. The French striker, suffering from a knee injury, is facing a prolonged period of unavailability, much to the dismay of Real Madrid, who could be without their star player for upcoming major European matches.

Present at UEFA headquarters in Nyon for the Champions League draw, Emilio Butragueño didn't hide his concern. "We hope it's nothing serious. At the moment, his participation against City is uncertain. He's very important for us," he said. A far from reassuring message, as Real Madrid prepares to face Manchester City in the round of 16.

Initially announced as lasting two weeks, the Frenchman's absence could ultimately extend to nearly a month and a half.

A return is now only being considered at the beginning of April, possibly in time for a potential Champions League quarter-final, if Real Madrid continue their run. Another troubling element is the silence of the Madrid club, which has still not officially commented on the exact nature of the injury. For its part, the Spanish press is pessimistic. "He has never experienced such a long absence and feels disoriented," writes the daily newspaper Marca.

This situation is all the more surprising given Mbappé's reputation as an extremely reliable player in terms of physical condition. A World Cup winner in 2018, he has very rarely missed matches due to injury throughout his career, whether at Paris Saint-Germain or with the national team.

Rigorous in his preparation and known for his healthy lifestyle, he only experienced a more delicate period during the 2019-2020 season, with some muscle problems, then occasional alerts during the following season, in the midst of the pandemic.

This time, it all goes back to a blow to the left knee that occurred on December 7 against Celta Vigo.

Having quickly returned to competition, the striker reportedly resumed play too soon, aggravating the injury. An MRI subsequently revealed a ligament tear requiring at least three weeks of rest. True to his competitive spirit, Mbappé gritted his teeth to participate in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, before ultimately having to stop playing again.

This setback now necessitates a longer recovery period. A major blow for Real Madrid and a significant concern for all of Spanish football, given how central Kylian Mbappé's impact has become to the ambitions of the Madrid club.