• Didier Deschamps awaits his captain’s recovery to call him up for end-of-March international window
• Positive medical update and precautionary domestic absence

Spanish manager Álvaro Arbeloa confirmed the readiness of his star player Kylian Mbappé for the highly anticipated clash against Manchester City in the Champions League Round of 16 second leg.

Speaking at Friday’s press conference ahead of the La Liga match against Elche, Arbeloa reported that Mbappé’s condition continues to improve. He explained that the forward’s absence from tomorrow’s domestic game is purely precautionary to ensure he is fully fit for the European trip.

Confidently, Arbeloa said: “Kylian is getting better day by day. He won’t play against Elche, but I am completely confident he will be included in the squad traveling to Manchester on Tuesday.”

Injury Struggles and the Impact of the French “Gazelle”

Mbappé has been sidelined since late February due to recurring pain from a left knee sprain dating back to December. While he missed the first-leg match, which Madrid won 3-0 thanks to a superb performance by Valverde, his return adds irreplaceable attacking power. He remains:

• Top scorer: 38 goals in 33 matches this season

• Playmaker: The key figure in breaking opponent lines and creating decisive moments

Between Champions League Dreams and World Cup Ambitions

Mbappé’s comeback matters not only to Real Madrid but also to the French national team.

With the 2026 World Cup less than three months away, Didier Deschamps is monitoring his captain’s recovery to include him in the upcoming international window at the end of March, as Les Bleus prepare for high-profile friendlies against Brazil and Colombia.

With these developments, Real Madrid will travel to Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium at full strength, aiming to assert dominance and secure a quarterfinal spot, fueled by the return of the unstoppable “Gazelle” who continues to find the net.