Concerns Mount Over Kylian Mbappe's Knee Injury Ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League Showdown

Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa recently stated that Kylian Mbappe was set to return for the crucial Champions League match against Manchester City. However, recent training footage of the French forward indicates he may not be fully recovered from the knee issue that has plagued him since December, leading him to miss the last six games.

The nature of Mbappe's knee injury has been a source of confusion. What was initially diagnosed as a sprain has taken an unusually long time to heal, prompting speculation about potential ligament involvement. Last week, Mbappe even traveled to his hometown of Paris to seek a second medical opinion.

Worrying Images Emerge from Training

Despite these concerns, Mbappe was included in Real Madrid's squad for the Manchester City fixture and has been training alongside his teammates. Nevertheless, Spanish program El Chiringuito captured some unsettling images during the media-open portion of a recent training session. As Mbappe warmed up at the Etihad, he was observed reaching for his knee on four separate occasions after performing light jogs, raising alarm bells about his true fitness level.

This isn't the first time Arbeloa's assurances about Mbappe's readiness have proven premature. Last month, before Real Madrid's game against Benfica in Lisbon, Arbeloa declared Mbappe fit to play, yet it marked the first of his six consecutive absences. While Arbeloa reiterated on Monday, "You'll see him," the prevailing expectation is that Mbappe will likely start on the bench.

Given that it's a World Cup year, there has been considerable discussion about Mbappe's cautious approach to his recovery, a sentiment shared by many top players. Should he ultimately not feature against Manchester City, Arbeloa is bound to face intensified scrutiny and further questions regarding the star's condition.