Álvaro Arbeloa has acknowledged that Kylian Mbappé’s availability for Real Madrid’s upcoming UEFA Champions League meeting with Manchester City is uncertain, confirming that the club is fully aware of the nature of the forward’s knee problem but stopping short of guaranteeing his participation.
Speaking on Sunday, Arbeloa said Real Madrid are “very clear” about Mbappé’s knee issue, indicating that the medical staff and coaching team have a detailed understanding of the situation and a defined treatment plan. However, he admitted that this clarity does not automatically translate into a clean bill of health in time for the high-profile fixture, and that Mbappé remains a doubt.
The France international, widely regarded as one of the most decisive attacking players in world football, is expected to be a central figure for Real Madrid over the course of the season. Any concern over his fitness naturally draws attention, especially ahead of a Champions League clash against Manchester City, one of Europe’s strongest sides in recent years.
Arbeloa did not provide specific details on the extent of the knee problem, the exact diagnosis, or a precise recovery timeline. Instead, his comments underlined that the club is monitoring Mbappé closely and will base its decision on his involvement against City on medical guidance and the player’s response to treatment in the coming days.
Real Madrid will be preparing contingency plans in case Mbappé is unable to start or is restricted to a reduced role. The coaching staff will likely weigh the risk of asking him to play through discomfort against the longer-term importance of maintaining his fitness for the remainder of the Champions League campaign and domestic competitions.
The uncertainty around Mbappé’s condition adds an element of intrigue to the buildup, but Real Madrid are expected to wait as long as necessary before making a final call on his participation. For now, the club’s stance remains cautious: they understand the problem, they are managing it closely, and they accept that there is a real possibility he may not be fully ready to face Manchester City.
