Real Madrid’s medical department is facing renewed scrutiny after reports of diagnostic errors involving two of the club’s French stars, Kylian Mbappé and Eduardo Camavinga. Allegations of mistakes in treatment have raised serious questions about the club’s handling of player injuries.
According to L’Équipe, Camavinga’s absence from several matches in December 2025 stemmed from a misdiagnosis. The midfielder injured his left ankle during a 3-0 win over Athletic Club on December 3, scoring a goal before being substituted in the 69th minute. Despite his complaints of pain, medical staff conducted an MRI scan on his right foot instead of the injured left. With no damage detected, Camavinga was declared fit. He was included in the squad against Celta on December 7 but did not play, and subsequently missed fixtures against Alavés, Manchester City, and Talavera. He returned only on December 20, featuring briefly against Sevilla.
This revelation follows earlier claims by journalist Daniel Riolo that Mbappé’s knee problems were worsened by a similar error, with the wrong knee allegedly examined. Several outlets, including El País, The Athletic, and Marca, reported confirmation of the mistake. Mbappé later consulted a specialist in Paris and was said to be furious. However, the France captain publicly denied the claims, suggesting miscommunication had fueled speculation. He admitted to playing through pain earlier in the year but insisted his knees are now healthy, crediting Real Madrid for his recovery.
Mbappé missed five matches between late February and mid-March due to knee issues, but emphasized that clear agreements with the club had always been in place. He expressed satisfaction with his current fitness, downplaying the controversy.
The fallout from these incidents has already impacted Real Madrid’s medical structure. Reports indicate that the Mbappé case contributed to staff changes earlier this year. Dr. Niko Mihic, previously dismissed in 2023, was rehired as head of the medical department after the team was reorganized last summer. Frequent reshuffles in the medical staff have become common at the club, often triggered by concerns over recurring injuries.
Together, the cases of Camavinga and Mbappé have intensified criticism of Real Madrid’s medical practices. While Mbappé has sought to calm speculation, the revelations highlight ongoing challenges within the club’s medical management and raise doubts about the consistency of player care.
