Mbappé's Availability Uncertain for Real Madrid Ahead of Manchester City Champions League Clash

Kylian Mbappé's availability for Real Madrid's upcoming UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match against Manchester City is currently uncertain. The French forward missed training on Sunday as he continues to recover from a knee sprain, leaving only two training sessions before the crucial fixture at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Mbappé, who has been a key figure for Real Madrid, is under close observation at the club's Valdebebas training ground. Despite positive signs of recovery in recent days, the limited time before the midweek match works against his chances of full fitness. The coaching and medical staff have yet to confirm whether he will be able to feature against Manchester City, highlighting the cautious approach taken given the importance of the fixture.

Real Madrid's squad is managing several fitness concerns ahead of the Champions League encounter. Jude Bellingham participated in part of the training session but worked separately from the main group, while Carreras, who sustained a knock in the recent La Liga match against Getafe, trained individually on Sunday. Carreras is expected to rejoin the group on Monday and be available for selection, although his starting role is uncertain due to Ferland Mendy's strong recent performances.

Other players such as Antonio Rüdiger also trained away from the group but are anticipated to return to full training soon. Meanwhile, David Alaba continues to recover from a left calf problem, and Dani Ceballos, Éder Militão, and Rodrygo remain sidelined. Rodrygo, in particular, is set to undergo surgery for a serious knee injury, which will keep him out for an extended period.

Mbappé was seen returning to Madrid on Sunday with his new girlfriend after spending a few days in Paris for recovery. His physical condition will be carefully assessed in the remaining training sessions, with the club balancing the risk of rushing him back against the significance of the match against Manchester City.

Looking ahead, Real Madrid will need to finalize their squad and starting lineup decisions based on the players' fitness levels as they prepare to face one of Europe's strongest teams. The outcome of the first leg could significantly influence the progression of both clubs in the Champions League, making player availability a critical factor. The club's medical updates and training reports in the coming days will provide further clarity on Mbappé's status and the overall squad readiness for the high-stakes fixture.