Real Madrid have decided to adopt a conservative strategy with Kylian Mbappé, opting to temporarily sideline the striker in order to ensure a full physical recovery. The decision prioritizes medium- and long-term performance over short-term availability, as the club looks to avoid any unnecessary risks amid an intense run of fixtures, according to AS.
As part of this approach, the Spanish giants have removed immediate competitions, including the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, from their list of priorities for Mbappé’s return. Internally, there is a clear belief that accelerating his comeback would be a mistake, especially given that the forward had been playing while not fully recovered.
The club’s stance is straightforward: pause now to protect the rest of the season. Real Madrid view this moment as crucial for restoring Mbappé to full competitiveness, free of physical limitations that could compromise his performances in decisive months ahead.
Conservative treatment defines Real Madrid’s new plan
Real Madrid’s medical team has been instructed to follow a strictly conservative treatment plan, focused on fully restoring Mbappé’s knee condition. No public timetable has been set for his return, a deliberate move aimed at eliminating both internal and external pressure.
This marks a shift in how the club is managing the situation. Mbappé’s current issue is reportedly the 23rd injury of his professional career, raising concerns within the club and prompting a reinforcement of medical oversight. According to AS, the return of Niko Mihic—one of Florentino Pérez’s trusted medical advisors—has played a key role in tightening control over the recovery process.
Medical staff have been clearly told to avoid risks at every stage. Rest remains the priority, and Mbappé will only be cleared to return when he is completely free of pain and discomfort.
Heavy schedule strengthens decision to rest Mbappé
Mbappé has been dealing with discomfort since December 7, when he featured against Celta Vigo. Despite the issue, he later accumulated 270 minutes across matches against Alavés, Talavera, and Sevilla. Internally, Real Madrid acknowledge that this approach should not be repeated.
The congested calendar at the start of the year has further reinforced the decision. Real Madrid could face up to seven matches in a 20-day span, with games scheduled every three days. In that context, preserving Mbappé now is seen as essential to avoiding more serious setbacks later in the season.
In his absence, the attacking responsibility will be shared more evenly within the squad. Gonzalo’s recent rise offers an immediate alternative for Xabi Alonso’s side, easing the pressure as Real Madrid focus on getting their star forward back to full strength.
Thiago Nuno is a football editor and analyst covering European leagues, match statistics, and transfer market trends.
