Throughout the 2025–26 season, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/kylian-mbappe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kylian Mbappé</a> has established as the team’s most decisive player. After netting 38 goals, he has consolidated his place as the team’s top scorer, proving crucial against world-class opponents. However, the Frenchman has suffered an injury to his left knee that has created significant uncertainty. In response, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/real-madrid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Real Madrid</a> legend Luis Figo decided to offer advice to the 27-year-old star on his recovery.



After missing the game against CD Osasuna, Mbappé was diagnosed with a sprained left knee. However, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/kylian-mbappe-could-be-out-longer-than-expected-as-real-madrid-star-reportedly-faces-serious-knee-injury/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">he is reportedly suffering from a partial tear of the posterior cruciate ligament, which could keep him out longer than expected</a>. Despite these reports, Los Blancos remain optimistic about his return, expecting him to be back for the second leg against Manchester City. In light of this, Luis Figo decided to give Mbappé some advice on his recovery.



“Mbappé’s injury is really a matter of seeing, on a personal level, what the player truly feels. Whether he can take the risk or not, and if by taking that risk he might suffer worse consequences… In my case, on some occasions, I pushed myself and it didn’t go so well, but it was always because I wanted to be present on the pitch… Afterwards, those sacrifices take their toll,” Figo said, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.



Following Rodrygo’s season-ending ACL and meniscus injury, fans have been urging caution in managing Mbappé’s health, a concern reinforced by Figo’s words. Nevertheless, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/kylian-mbappe-injury-twist-alvaro-arbeloa-provides-update-on-real-madrid-stars-recovery-as-controversial-expected-return-date-emerges/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coach Álvaro Arbeloa offered a positive update, raising hope for a mid-March return</a>. However, this optimism also brings concerns about a potential relapse that could sideline him of the 2026 World Cup and the next season.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/01/01125750/Kylian-Mbappe-1920x1080.webp" alt="Real Madrid&apos;s Kylian Mbappe celebrating a goal." class="wp-image-613121"></figure><figcaption>Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrates scoring a goal in LaLiga.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Real Madrid face serious doubts as injuries hit several star players</h2>



Unlike previous seasons, Los Blancos have suffered several injuries to key players such as Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão and now Rodrygo Goes. Far from ACL injuries being an isolated incident, Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba have also suffered this injury in recent years. In addition, Real Madrid are dealing with constant player injuries, generating significant doubts among fans regarding the club’s medical services.


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Seeking to distance all criticism and rumors, coach Álvaro Arbeloa explained that the decision to have a second opinion on the injuries of Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé came from the club itself. With this, he rules out any lack of trust from the players in the medical staff. What still remains unaddressed, however, are the constant injuries to the team’s stars, which raise doubts regarding physical preparation and the workload of matches.

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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lionel Messi</a> has been an example of professionalism since he started representing <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/barcelona/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barcelona</a> 20 years ago. He was even the main star of a star-studded Argentina U-20 that won the World Cup in the Netherlands. But according to Fernando Llorente, their preparation wasn’t ideal.



Llorente joined a roundtable to talk about the importance of hydration that included the likes of Luis Figo. The former striker, who finished right behind Messi in the top scoring list at the 2005 U-20 World Cup with five goals before Spain were taken out in the quarterfinals, revealed a rare habit that <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/argentina/">Argentina</a> players were said to have.



When talking about his past experiences, he said: “To tell a story, I remember when he played against Messi’s Argentina in the U-20. It was said that they were allowed to drink Coca-Cola with the meals, but we couldn’t. They eliminated us, they sent us home, and they moved on. In the teams I’ve been on, we weren’t allowed to drink things like that.”



<h2>Figo also talked about hydration</h2>



Figo was probably the main name among the participants at the roundtable. The former Barcelona and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/real-madrid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Real Madrid</a> star also won a Ballon d’Or, capping a career marked by talent and a controversial move between the giants. Just like Llorente did, he spoke about the topic from his experience.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/02/10164219/figo-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-620742"></figure><figcaption>Figo went from Barcelona to Real Madrid as a player (Angel Martinez/Getty Images for Laureus)</figcaption></figure>



The Portuguese spoke in general terms about elite teams and performance, linking physical preparation to consistency on the pitch. His comments were framed within the broader discussion about hydration and recovery in modern soccer.


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For him the change needed is easy to see: “Real Madrid need to hydrate more to play better. It gives you mental health, performance, and better recovery, because they have talent.”



<h2>Figo on his preparation as a player</h2>



It’s clear that what Figo did as a player worked for him, because his performance was higher than most. But the Portuguese recalled that during his time there was reluctance to change a routine that already seemed to work.



Figo said: “In a world of high competition I’ve only had a nutritionist since 2004. With the habits of hydration and nutrition I had, when you contact a nutritionist you are one step behind because if you had some habits that worked for you, altering that routine makes you wonder if it’s the best for you.”

Lionel Messi’s Argentina U-20 World Cup team had a rare habit, reveals Spain icon Fernando Llorente

Lionel Messi’s Argentina U-20 World Cup team had a rare habit, reveals Spain icon Fernando Llorente - World Soccer Talk

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Real Madrid legend Luis Figo makes bold suggestion to Kylian Mbappe amid his injury: ‘Those sacrifices take their toll’

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Lionel Messi’s Argentina U-20 World Cup team had a rare habit, reveals Spain icon Fernando Llorente