An unexpected blow for Real Madrid on a decisive night

The buildup to the Real Madrid vs. Manchester City clash was already tense, but the absence of Kylian Mbappé from the starting lineup completely shifted the atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabéu. The French superstar, the centerpiece of the project and the team’s top scorer this season, was not included in the initial XI.
The question immediately arose: why isn’t Mbappé playing?

For several days, the forward had been dealing with two physical issues that raised concern within the club. The first was a fractured finger, picked up against Celta. The second —and far more significant— was discomfort in the back of his left thigh, which prevented him from training normally and made him a serious doubt until the very last moment.

The muscle discomfort that set off the alarms

The critical issue was that muscular pain. Although the club maintained that the injury was not severe, there was a real risk that it could worsen in a match as demanding as this one, especially against a City side that requires maximum physical intensity.

Real Madrid’s medical staff evaluated the situation throughout the day, monitoring Mbappé’s mobility, his sensations, and how he responded to final tests. According to internal sources, the forward was unable to complete the assessments at the expected level, leading to a decision aimed at preventing a more serious injury that could have sidelined him for several weeks.

A decision forced by the team’s difficult situation

The Frenchman’s absence comes at a critical moment for Xabi Alonso’s squad, already hit by an injury crisis that left Madrid with only four first-team defenders available. Losing their most decisive player was the scenario the coaching staff tried to avoid at all costs, but ultimately it became unavoidable.

With Erling Haaland on the other side, internal pressure at its peak, and the coach’s future under scrutiny, Mbappé’s absence forced a complete rethink of the game plan — tactically, emotionally, and competitively.

A decision that changes the entire script of the match

The final call was made only minutes before kickoff and was based strictly on medical assessments and risk management. Real Madrid now faces one of the most important matches of the season without their offensive leader, waiting for the discomfort to subside so he can return as soon as possible.