Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has provided an update on Kylian Mbappe’s knee injury, stating the star forward is improving daily despite ongoing uncertainty about his return. The club previously announced a knee sprain, though there are suggestions his ligaments might also be affected.
While reports from Valdebebas hint at Mbappe potentially featuring in the Champions League return leg against Manchester City on March 17th, French sources suggest he could be sidelined for months. Arbeloa, consistent with his previous statements, refrained from offering definitive timelines.
Arbeloa commented, “Yes, I speak to him every day. We are closely monitoring his progress and how he’s feeling. It’s a day-by-day process, and he is showing improvement every day.”
This week, Mbappe sought a second medical opinion on his knee injury in Paris, mirroring Jude Bellingham’s trip to London for further assessment of his hamstring problem.
He affirmed, “All these decisions are fully overseen by the club’s medical staff. Mbappe is in Paris accompanied by Real Madrid personnel, and Bellingham is in London with club professionals. Every aspect is meticulously supervised.”
Real Madrid Faces Significant Absences Ahead of Celta Vigo Clash
Real Madrid’s upcoming Friday night match against Celta Vigo in Galicia is widely considered a crucial fixture for their La Liga title aspirations. The squad, however, is severely depleted. Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras, and Franco Mastantuono are suspended, while a lengthy injury list includes Mbappe, Bellingham, Eder Militao, Rodrygo Goes, and Dani Ceballos. Arbeloa also confirmed David Alaba’s unavailability.
Arbeloa stated, “Alaba will not be available. Asencio might be an option; we’ll have to wait and see. If not, Diego Aguado or Lamini Fati could play. We’ll assess, but Alaba’s absence is confirmed.”
Brahim Diaz’s Limited Playing Time Questioned
Brahim Diaz, who impressed as one of the standout players at the African Cup of Nations for Morocco, has seen only 166 minutes of game time since his return to Real Madrid. Arbeloa addressed questions regarding his limited appearances.
The manager acknowledged, “He is playing less than he deserves, and that is my responsibility. He trains exceptionally well, and his abilities are clear to everyone. I am confident I can utilize his talents much more effectively than I currently am. This is my responsibility, and I will make the effort to do so.”
Arbeloa Expresses Confidence in Dean Huijsen and Franco Mastantuono
Earlier this week, Arbeloa criticized Mastantuono for a red card received due to dissent during the defeat to Getafe. Mastantuono had come on as a substitute alongside Dean Huijsen, who himself has faced considerable scrutiny and struggled for form in recent months. Arbeloa was asked to comment on Huijsen’s performance.
Arbeloa offered his perspective: “My stance on Huijsen and Mastantuono is very clear. Our U19 squad features many players Mastantuono’s age, and Huijsen, given his age, could easily be playing for Castilla. I recall the initial comments about Vinicius when he joined, and look at his development now. We must exercise significant patience. Playing for Real Madrid means representing the most demanding club globally; it’s a unique environment.”
He continued, “They possess my complete confidence and are incredibly talented. I truly wish the fans would appreciate each player’s potential. Our role is to support them, encourage them, and crucially, demand unwavering hard work and effort. We must also allow them to make mistakes, as football is inherently a game of errors. I believe we have many promising evenings ahead with these players.”
Real Madrid will face Celta Vigo at Balaidos this Friday at 21:00 CEST, aiming to narrow the gap to Barcelona to a single point before their rivals play Athletic Club.