Real Madrid and the Mbappe Mystery

Kylian Mbappe is confirmed to miss this weekend's fixture at Celta Vigo, yet the greater concern lies in the nature of the problem he is encountering.

The injury status of Kylian Mbappe continues to be a major point of contention. While Real Madrid insists Mbappe has only suffered a "sprain" and believes he could return in time for the Champions League round of 16 second leg against Manchester City, other sources suggest the injury is more severe and the recovery timeline will differ.

In recent days, Mbappe has been in Paris to consult with specialists to assess the extent of his injury. Currently, he is training separately in his hometown with the medical team dispatched by Real Madrid. The renowned sports program El Larguero, citing sources close to the former PSG forward, indicates it is nearly impossible for him to be ready for France's friendly matches at the end of March, as his recovery period remains unclear.

Nevertheless, Real Madrid still hopes to deploy their star player for the away leg at Manchester City, scheduled for March 17th. Journalist Anton Meana of El Larguero issued a warning: The posterior cruciate ligament in Mbappe's left knee is at a critical level. "We call it a 'sprain' because the medical report states so, but in reality, the injury is quite significant. There are 100 days left until the World Cup, and Mbappe needs every single one of those days to recover and be fit for the tournament," Meana commented.

El Larguero and numerous sources from France emphasize that the timeline set by Real Madrid for Mbappe's potential recovery by March 17th is not agreed upon by the player's camp. Previously, "Los Blancos," Mbappe's team, and the French national team doctors had agreed on conservative treatment rather than proceeding with surgery.

Mbappe's return for the second leg against Manchester City might be a plausible target, but playing carries inherent risks. Mbappe himself is unwilling to accept any risks after having "overworked" extensively in recent times. The 27-year-old star prioritizes arriving in North America this summer in optimal physical condition.

For his part, Alvaro Arbeloa stated: "We are aware of Mbappe's issue and what he has been through. The point is he needs to consider his own sensations, the recovery process, and its progression. Right now, it's best not to set a specific return date, as we must monitor day by day. We want him to recover 100%, and when that happens, he will be back."

Without Mbappe—who scores on average every 75 minutes this season across all competitions—Real Madrid just lost to Getafe at the Bernabeu for the first time in 18 years, trailing Barcelona by 4 points in La Liga. He is not traveling to Vigo, similar to Bellingham, Militao, Ceballos, and Rodrygo—the latter out for a year due to a cruciate ligament tear and meniscus damage. Carreras, Huijsen, and Mastantuono are also sidelined due to suspension. This situation is truly alarming for Coach Arbeloa in his efforts to keep pace with Barcelona.