UCL 2025-26: Mbappe likely to return for Real Madrid’s Champions League trip to Manchester, says Arbeloa

Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa said Friday he was “confident” that Kylian Mbappe will be available to face Manchester City in the second leg of its UEFA Champions League last-16 tie.

“He’s getting better day by day,” Arbeloa said at a press conference. “He won’t be there tomorrow (Saturday, in La Liga against Elche), but I’m confident he’ll be on the trip to Manchester.”

With Mbappe sidelined by a knee injury and several other key players missing, Real thrashed City 3-0 in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday, thanks to a hat-trick from Federico Valverde.

City hosts the second leg next Tuesday and risks being knocked out of Europe by Madrid for the third season in a row.

ALSO READ: Reece James signs new Chelsea contract until 2032

France forward Mbappe, hampered by a sprain to his left knee since late December, has not played since withdrawing from the squad to face Benfica in the second leg of the Champions League knockout phase play-off round on February 25.

Mbappe has scored 38 goals in 33 appearances for his club this season.

His expected return for Madrid comes ahead of the international break, where France national football team will face Brazil national football team and Colombia national football team in pre-World Cup friendlies in the United States.

Published on Mar 13, 2026