While the immediate focus is on Saturday's league clash, the looming presence of the Champions League is undoubtedly influencing the club’s decision-making process. Madrid are set to face Benfica on Tuesday in a crucial European tie, and the medical staff are preaching a message of extreme prudence. If Mbappe is forced to play through the pain against Sociedad, he risks aggravating the knee injury and missing the trip to Lisbon altogether.
A final decision on his availability is expected following Friday’s training session, which will serve as a definitive fitness test. If he cannot complete the full session with the group, he will almost certainly be left out of the squad to face the Basque side. Arbeloa knows that while the league is vital, the Champions League is part of the club's DNA, and having a fit Mbappe for the knockout stages is the priority. For now, Madrid fans can only watch and wait, hoping that their star man’s knee issues are merely a temporary setback rather than a season-defining blow.