Arbeloa keeps the hope alive: Mbappé could return against Manchester City

Real Madrid is living days of anticipation surrounding its biggest star. Kylian Mbappé is still sidelined due to a left knee issue, but inside the club there is growing optimism ahead of one of the most important matches of the season: the Champions League Round of 16 second leg against Manchester City.

The French forward will not be available for the upcoming LaLiga match against Elche, marking his fifth consecutive game missed for Los Blancos. However, manager Álvaro Arbeloa delivered a message that fuels hope among Madrid fans: the goal is to have Mbappé ready to travel to England.

According to the coach, the recovery process is progressing according to plan. “His evolution is good,” Arbeloa explained, highlighting that the club designed a detailed recovery schedule together with the medical staff and fitness department to ensure the striker returns in optimal condition.

The injury that slowed down Real Madrid’s superstar

The physical issue for Kylian Mbappé dates back to early December, when he began feeling discomfort in his left knee. Despite the problem, the French star initially continued playing before the club ultimately decided to completely stop his activity to prevent further complications.

His absence has been significant. In 2026 so far, Mbappé has only played 9 of Real Madrid’s 17 matches, missing key fixtures both in LaLiga and the Champions League.

Among the matches he was forced to miss were the European clashes against Benfica and Manchester City, as well as domestic games against Getafe and Celta.

Real Madrid’s plan to recover Mbappé

Arbeloa was clear when explaining how the situation is being managed. According to the Real Madrid manager, the French star’s return will depend entirely on how his body responds over the next few days.

“We’ll see how he feels tomorrow and especially on Sunday, when we will make a final decision,” the coach stated, emphasizing that the club will carefully assess his condition before confirming whether he will travel with the team.

The plan within Real Madrid is that Mbappé could potentially return directly in one of the toughest matches possible, the Champions League showdown against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Arbeloa also expressed his desire to have Mbappé available for another crucial game shortly after: the LaLiga derby against Atlético Madrid.

A potential secret weapon for the Champions League

Although the team has shown it can compete without him, the presence of the French superstar changes the entire offensive dynamic. The context makes his potential comeback even more intriguing. Madrid will travel to Manchester holding a strong advantage after the 3–0 win in the first leg, powered by a sensational first-half hat-trick from Federico Valverde. However, facing City at the Etihad Stadium always represents a major challenge.

In that scenario, a recovered Mbappé — even if only for a few minutes — could become the final blow to seal the tie.

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