Concern is growing within Real Madrid regarding the fitness of their French star Kylian Mbappé ahead of their crucial La Liga match against Real Sociedad this Saturday. This concern stems from the striker's absence from team training for the second consecutive day, casting serious doubt on his availability for the important game.
Details of the absence and the source of concern
A club official confirmed to AFP that Mbappé's participation in the match remains "uncertain." The source explained that the player, the team's top scorer this season, only performed "individual indoor work" on Wednesday and Thursday, without disclosing specific details about the nature of the injury. "We're waiting to see if he can train tomorrow (Friday)," the source added, leaving the final decision pending until the last training session before the match. According to Spanish media reports, the French captain is suffering from pain in his left knee, the same knee he previously sprained, raising concerns about a possible aggravation of the injury.
Context and importance of Mbappe to Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappé represents the cornerstone of Real Madrid's sporting project, especially after his arrival, which culminated years of negotiations and media scrutiny, making his transfer one of the most significant events in football history. Since his arrival, the Frenchman has demonstrated his immense talent, scoring 38 goals in 31 matches across all competitions, quickly becoming the team's star player and Carlo Ancelotti's trump card. Therefore, any potential absence of his, particularly at this crucial stage of the season, would be a major blow to the club's ambitions.
Expected impact of the absence on the team
The potential absence of Kylian Mbappé further complicates Real Madrid's task, as he joins a list of key absentees that includes English midfielder Jude Bellingham, Brazilian striker Rodrygo, and defender Éder Militão . This will force Carlo Ancelotti to find alternative tactical solutions to compensate for the significant attacking void that the French star will leave. The match against Real Sociedad is of paramount importance, as Real Madrid, currently second with 57 points, have a golden opportunity to temporarily climb to the top of the table and overtake their rivals Barcelona (58 points) if they secure a victory against the Basque side, who sit in eighth place and have been performing strongly at home.
