Real Madrid face a big call about Kylian Mbappe ahead of the second leg against Manchester City
Kylian Mbappe in Real Madrid training
Kylian Mbappe is back in training(Image: Real Madrid via Getty Images)
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Kylian Mbappe is caught up in a club-versus-country dispute as Real Madrid ponder playing him against Manchester City. The French ace missed Real's Champions League first leg triumph over City due to a knee injury, which has sidelined him since the end of February.
Mbappe is back in training with a view to returning to action in the second leg at the Etihad or in next weekend's Madrid derby against Atletico. Real are reportedly hesitant to release him for France's upcoming pair of friendlies against Brazil and Colombia in the United States.
However, as the French Football Federation's biggest commercial asset, he is still anticipated to be called up. As a Nike-sponsored player, Mbappe is set to take part in various marketing activities ahead of the Brazil match.
Nike is the kit supplier to both Brazil and France, making the game a prime commercial opportunity for all parties as the World Cup looms.
Real cannot prevent Mbappe from joining the France squad unless he is injured. Therefore, if he features against City and Atletico, they wouldn't be able to use that excuse. If he doesn't participate in those matches, Real could feasibly submit a medical report verifying his injury, which would grant him 10 days' recovery time and rule him out of the national team games.
The international break is scheduled to commence on March 23, with France facing Brazil in Boston on March 26 and Colombia in Washington DC on March 29.
Real head coach Alvaro Arbeloa provided an update on Mbappe's fitness ahead of Saturday's league match against Elche. He said: "[Mbappe] is getting better every day.
Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe watched the first leg against Manchester City from the stands(Image: DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
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"His development is progressing as it should. We made a plan. It depends on his progress, but I think he's doing very well. He won't be available tomorrow, but I expect he'll travel to Manchester."
Given that Real will carry a 3-0 lead into the second leg, Los Blancos may not feel the need to take any risks, particularly with a crucial Madrid derby coming up.
MADRID, SPAIN - 2026/01/23: Alvaro Arbeloa, the head coach of Real Madrid CF, attends a press conference at Ciudad Real Madrid, on the eve of the LaLiga EA Sports 2025/2026 week 21 football match between Villarreal CF and Real Madrid CF. (Photo by Federico Titone/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Alvaro Arbeloa says Mbappe will travel to Manchester(Image: Getty Images)
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While City were struggling to a draw at West Ham, Real, without Mbappe, were defeating Elche 4-1 to close within a point of La Liga leaders Barcelona, who host Sevilla on Sunday.
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