Real Madrid officials have expressed surprise at the rapid progress Kylian Mbappe has made in his recovery from a knee injury over the last few days.
Kylian Mbappe Closing in on Shock Return for Man City Clash
The French superstar has not featured for Los Blancos in two weeks after struggling with the issue since December.
While he initially attempted to play through the pain, the club’s medical team eventually decided he required a period of rest to reach full fitness.
The layoff sparked intense speculation regarding the severity of the problem, with rumors swirling that the forward might require surgery.
Both the player and the club have resisted that option, as an operation would mean an extended spell on the sidelines.
However, Sport suggested that avoiding the knife carried the risk of Mbappe failing to return to 100% capacity.
Those fears are now beginning to dissipate. According to sources close to the situation, Mbappe’s condition has improved dramatically in recent days—a development that has even caught the club’s hierarchy off guard.
Due to this unexpected turnaround, optimism is growing within the Valdebebas training complex that the forward could feature in Tuesday’s crucial Champions League clash against Manchester City.
Previously, Real Madrid had resigned itself to the possibility that Mbappe would miss the entirety of the Round of 16 tie.
While he will not be risked for Saturday’s La Liga fixture against Elche, as that match comes too soon, there is now a very strong chance he makes the trip to the Etihad Stadium.
Officials believe he could be named in the matchday squad, giving manager Arboela an attacking boost.
The timing of his potential return is convenient for the Italian coach. Real Madrid travels to England with a commanding 3-1 aggregate lead from the first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.
With a two-goal cushion, the team will hope to avoid exposing Mbappe to unnecessary risk.
However, the mere fact that he could be available represents a significant shift in the saga, offering the reigning champions a major psychological lift as they look to secure their spot in the next round.
