Real Madrid’s star forward has returned to the Spanish capital two days before the Champions League Round of 16 first leg against Manchester City
Kylian Mbappé returned to Real Madrid‘s training centre on Monday following a specialised recovery stint in Paris, marking the final phase of his race against time for Wednesday’s European showdown against Manchester City, but the striker is a major doubt after not training with the rest of his teammates.
The Frenchman, who has been sidelined with a persistent injury, spent the last several days under the watch of French specialists and two Real Madrid physiotherapists.
While the medical reports from his time in France have been characterised as “positive,” the 27-year-old forward now faces a critical assessment by the staff at Valdebebas.
With only two training sessions remaining before Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City arrive at the Bernabéu, the club’s medical department remains cautious about his participation in the duel.
A report from MARCA on Monday mentioned that, while Mbappé was accompanied by fitness coach Sébastien Devillaz for a series of running exercises, yet did not train with the first team group, making him a likely absence for Wednesday.
The injury, specifically a sprain in the external ligament of his left knee, has troubled the striker intermittently since late 2025. Despite his immense desire to lead the line on Wednesday, the lack of competitive rhythm remains a significant hurdle.
Reports from Diario AS and MARCA suggest that while a return hasn’t been ruled out, the more realistic objective may be the second leg in Manchester on March 17.
The final decision will hinge on how the knee responds to increased workloads during Monday and Tuesday’s tactical sessions.
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Arbeloa emphasises “day-by-day” protocol
Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa has maintained a pragmatic stance throughout the recovery process, refusing to set a definitive deadline for his marquee signing.
Speaking during a recent press conference, Arbeloa highlighted the close communication between the coaching staff and the player, emphasising that the medical team has total oversight of the rehabilitation.
“Yes, I speak to him every day. We’re keeping a close eye on what’s happening to him, how he’s doing,” Arbeloa said. “It’s a process we’ll take day by day, monitoring how he’s feeling. He’s getting better every day. All these decisions are overseen by the club’s doctors.”
Manchester City and Real Madrid are meeting in the knockout stages for the fifth consecutive season, with the current balance between the two sides perfectly equal at five wins each across their previous 15 encounters.
Meanwhile, Mbappé has missed Real Madrid’s last three games against Benfica, Getafe and Celta Vigo. The France international is topping the scoring charts of both LaLiga with 23 goals and Champions League with 13.
