Kylian Mbappe ruled out of El Clasico due to injury
Kylian Mbappe will not be part of Real Madrid’s squad for this evening’s El Clasico at the Nou Camp after suffering hamstring problems during a training session on Saturday, reports BritPanorama.
The 27-year-old forward left training abruptly with just five minutes remaining, informing his teammates he was unable to continue before departing the pitch.
Reports indicate that the squad was left stunned, as staff had been optimistic about his fitness following a seemingly promising session. The timing is particularly unfortunate for coach Alvaro Arbeloa’s side, who trail arch-rivals Barcelona by 11 points in the league standings.
Barcelona requires only a single point from this match to secure the LaLiga championship title, effectively leaving Real Madrid powerless to prevent their rivals from celebrating at home.
Mbappe’s absence amid intense scrutiny from the Madrid fanbase follows criticism regarding his decision to holiday on a yacht while recovering from injury. This backlash has intensified as the club faces the prospect of a second consecutive trophyless season, leading to growing petitions demanding his sale, which have amassed millions of signatures.
Despite the escalating pressure, the French international seems unfazed. He was seen leaving Madrid’s training facility smiling after Saturday’s chaotic session, prompting Arbeloa to defend his player’s demeanor. “For a player to leave training smiling is taking things out of context and making them seem out of place,” he stated.
However, concerns within the club extend beyond Mbappe’s injury. The team has been engulfed in turmoil, notably after a shocking confrontation between Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni, which left Valverde injured and requiring hospital treatment. Both players were fined €500,000 for their involvement, and while Tchouaméni has been included in the squad, Valverde joins Mbappe on the sidelines.
Further unrest followed reports of an altercation between Antonio Rudiger and teammate Alvaro Carreras, which Carreras confirmed in a statement. Arbeloa has voiced worries about information leaking from the squad, labelling such behaviour as “betrayal and disloyalty to the badge.” He has publicly supported his players, declaring he won’t “crucify them” for their recent indiscretions.
As Madrid scrambles to address its off-pitch issues, the focus remains on the pitch tonight, where the stakes are high amid the ongoing unrest. The clash against Barcelona will not only be a critical match for the title but also a testament to how well a team can grapple with adversity under intense scrutiny.
