Kylian Mbappe's Knee Injury Raises Concerns Ahead of Real Madrid's Clash with Manchester City

Despite Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa's announcement that Kylian Mbappe would return for Tuesday night's crucial match against Manchester City, recent training footage indicates the French star may not have fully recovered from his persistent knee injury. This ongoing issue, which has sidelined Mbappe since December for six consecutive games, was expected to see him make a comeback in the Champions League fixture.

Confusion surrounds the exact nature of Mbappe's knee injury; what was initially thought to be a sprain has not healed as expected. Speculation has also arisen about potential ligament involvement, prompting his trip to Paris last week for a specialist's second opinion.

New Training Footage Raises Doubts About Mbappe's Full Recovery

Nevertheless, Mbappe was included in the Real Madrid squad for the Manchester City encounter and has participated in team training sessions in recent days. However, Spanish outlet El Chiringuito captured unsettling footage during a media-accessible training session at the Etihad. During the initial 15 minutes open to reporters, Mbappe was observed touching or checking his knee four times after performing light jogs during the warm-up, fueling concerns about his current fitness level.

Past Assurances and Current Expectations

This isn't the first time Arbeloa's statements about Mbappe's fitness have been met with uncertainty. Last month, prior to Real Madrid's match against Benfica in Lisbon, Arbeloa confirmed Mbappe's readiness to play, only for it to mark the first of his six consecutive absences. On Monday, Arbeloa reiterated, "You'll see him," though current expectations suggest Mbappe will likely start the City game from the substitutes' bench.

Considerable speculation surrounds Mbappe's recovery process. It's also recognized that, especially in a World Cup year, players, including Mbappe, tend to approach injuries with greater caution to ensure long-term fitness. Should he not feature against Manchester City, Arbeloa will undoubtedly be pressed for further explanations regarding the star's condition.