Kylian Mbappe was forced to leave the pitch due to injury after just 35 minutes during Real Madrid’s match against Atalanta on Tuesday night.

The Madrid star began the Champions League game strongly, scoring the opening goal in the 10th minute after slipping behind the defense. However, his night ended abruptly in the 36th minute when he went down holding his thigh and was substituted shortly after.

According to The Athletic, Mbappe will undergo a scan to determine the severity of his injury. Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping to keep the forward available, especially with other key players like David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, and Eduardo Camavinga already sidelined.

After Mbappe’s exit, Atalanta equalized just before halftime with a goal from Charles De Ketelaere, adding pressure on Ancelotti. However, the veteran manager inspired his team to rebound with second-half goals from Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr.

Despite a tense finish when Ademola Lookman scored for Atalanta in the 65th minute, Madrid held on to secure a crucial three points, moving up to 18th in the Champions League standings.

Mbappe has shown a notable improvement in form since reportedly discussing his performance with key players after a recent 2-1 defeat to Athletic Bilbao. The 25-year-old acknowledged his struggles this season and expressed his desire to lead the team back to its previous form.

His comments have been positively received by the Madrid hierarchy, who expected this kind of leadership. Criticism of Mbappe has not only centered on his performance but also on perceptions of his attitude on the pitch, with fans noting moments when he appeared disinterested.

With his goals against Atalanta and Girona, Mbappe has now scored 12 times in 22 appearances in his debut season with the club. He also recently reflected on his departure from PSG, discussing the club’s obsession with winning the Champions League and his final conversation with the Emir of Qatar.

“PSG meant a lot to me,” Mbappe said in an interview with Clique on Canal+. “I spent seven intense years there, both good and bad. Maybe my mistake was mixing everything up. I had conflicts while defending my rights as a player, but that didn’t reflect on the club. I never let it affect my relationships with teammates and staff.”