Real Madrid will once again be without Kylian Mbappé when they face Levante at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday afternoon as per Marca, with the Mbappé knee injury continuing to cause concern for the club’s new head coach, Álvaro Arbeloa.
The French forward remains troubled by discomfort in his left knee, ruling him out of the weekend fixture scheduled for a 2:00pm kick-off.
Despite some encouraging signs in training earlier in the week, the Mbappé knee injury has not fully settled.
As a result, Real Madrid will be forced to line up without their leading goalscorer for another important domestic match, extending a frustrating spell on the sidelines for the former Paris Saint-Germain attacker.
Training return offers hope, but pain remains
Mbappé was involved in Thursday’s training session and initially appeared to take part without major issues.
However, club staff have confirmed that the discomfort linked to the Mbappé knee injury is still present. While he is able to train in controlled conditions, the knee has not responded well enough to allow him to return to competitive action.
The ongoing nature of the Mbappé knee injury has led the coaching staff to adopt a cautious approach. With the season entering a demanding period, Arbeloa is unwilling to risk aggravating the problem by rushing the striker back before he is fully fit.
Limited Super Cup involvement in Saudi Arabia
In an effort to support the team during the Spanish Super Cup, Mbappé travelled with the squad to Saudi Arabia following the semi-final stage of the competition.
Despite the Mbappé knee injury, the forward made himself available and featured briefly in the final against Barcelona.
However, his involvement was limited to just 15 minutes, highlighting the ongoing physical restrictions he is facing.
The brief appearance did little to ease the underlying issue, and the Mbappé knee injury continued to cause discomfort after the match, reinforcing concerns within the medical team.
Copa del Rey absence confirmed
Following his return from Jeddah, the decision was taken to leave Mbappé out of the squad entirely for Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey tie against Albacete.
The Mbappé knee injury meant he was not considered fit enough to play any role in the match.
That absence was keenly felt, as Real Madrid suffered a 3-2 defeat and were eliminated from the competition by the Manchegan side.
While the result cannot be attributed solely to his absence, the loss underlined the importance of Mbappé to the team and the impact the Mbappé knee injury is having on Madrid’s attacking options.
Arbeloa plans without his top scorer
For Saturday’s league meeting with Levante, Arbeloa has again been forced to prepare his side without the club’s most prolific attacker.
The Mbappé knee injury has removed a key focal point from Real Madrid’s frontline, placing additional responsibility on the remaining forwards to deliver goals.
The new manager is still settling into his role and would have preferred to work with a fully fit squad. However, the persistence of the Mbappé knee injury means tactical adjustments are required as Madrid look to maintain momentum in domestic competition.
Rodrygo boost offers cautious optimism
While Mbappé remains sidelined, there is some positive news emerging from the treatment room. Rodrygo is expected to rejoin the group, with confirmation anticipated on Friday.
The Brazilian forward has been recovering from minor muscle discomfort sustained after returning from Jeddah.
Unlike the Mbappé knee injury, Rodrygo’s issue appears to be less serious, and he is considered to have a realistic chance of featuring against Levante.
His potential return would provide Arbeloa with greater flexibility in attack, easing the strain caused by Mbappé’s continued absence.
Managing workloads and recovery
Real Madrid’s medical staff are continuing to closely monitor the Mbappé knee injury, with the priority firmly on ensuring a full and sustainable recovery.
The club is aware that the striker’s importance extends far beyond a single fixture, and there is a clear focus on avoiding any long-term setback.
The situation highlights the delicate balance between competitive demands and player welfare. While Mbappé has shown willingness to contribute when possible, the Mbappé knee injury has made it clear that careful management is essential.
Looking ahead without Mbappé
As Real Madrid prepare for the visit of Levante, attention remains firmly on how the team will cope without their star forward.
The Mbappé knee injury continues to dominate discussions around the squad, with supporters eager for clarity on when he might return to full fitness.
For now, Arbeloa must rely on alternative attacking solutions, while the medical team works behind the scenes to resolve the issue.
Until the discomfort fully subsides, the Mbappé knee injury will remain a significant talking point around the Bernabéu.
The hope within the club is that patience will pay off, allowing Mbappé to return stronger once the problem is fully addressed.
Until then, Real Madrid will continue their campaign without their leading scorer, carefully navigating the challenges posed by the ongoing Mbappé knee injury.
