Mbappe Injury Blow Hits Real Madrid Before Key Matches

Rabat – Real Madrid have been hit with another injury scare as Kylian Mbappe missed training for the second straight day.

The French forward is dealing with discomfort in his left knee, raising doubts about his availability for Saturday’s La Liga match against Real Sociedad.

With a Champions League tie against Benfica just days away, coach Álvaro Arbeloa is waiting anxiously to see if his star striker will recover in time.

According to Spanish outlet Sport, the 27-year-old has not joined his teammates in tactical drills at Valdebebas, instead working in the gym with physiotherapists.

His absence so close to matchday has worried fans and staff, especially since his game depends heavily on speed and explosive movement. Although the club has not released an official medical report, the situation is being treated with caution.

This setback appears to be linked to an old problem. Mbappe sprained the same knee in December, and while he seemed to have recovered, the pain has returned.

Recurring injuries often suggest deeper issues or a rushed comeback, and Madrid’s medical team will be careful to avoid a long-term absence. For now, Mbappe has not progressed to ball work on the pitch, a sign he is far from match-ready.

Mbappé’s importance this season is clear from his numbers. In La Liga, he has scored 23 goals and provided 4 assists in 22 matches.

He has also added 13 goals in the Champions League, making him Madrid’s most decisive player in attack. His consistency has kept Madrid in the title race, and any absence would leave a huge gap in the team’s forward line.

Arbeloa’s problems extend beyond Mbappe. Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, and Eder Militao are still recovering from injuries and will not feature this weekend.

Defender Raul Asencio also missed training due to illness, leaving the squad stretched thin. With so many key players unavailable, Arbeloa has limited options to rotate and must rely on a reduced group to keep Madrid’s campaign alive.

The club is also weighing the risk of rushing Mbappe back. With Benfica awaiting in the Champions League, Madrid may decide to rest him against Sociedad to ensure he is fit for Europe.

A final decision is expected after Friday’s training session, which will serve as a fitness test. For now, Madrid fans can only hope the knee issue is temporary and not a season-defining setback.