Real Madrid Injury Updates: Mbappé and Rodrygo Concerns Ahead of Man City Clash

Real Madrid face a mounting injury crisis as they prepare for their Champions League round-of-16 first leg against Manchester City. Key forwards Kylian Mbappé and Rodrygo are both dealing with injuries, casting doubt on their availability for the crucial tie.

Rodrygo Suffers Season-Ending ACL Tear

Forward Rodrygo sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in his right knee during Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat against Getafe on Sunday, March 3, 2026. Manchester Evening News reports that the injury occurred shortly after he entered the game as a substitute. Medical tests confirmed the severity of the injury, ruling him out for the remainder of the season and the upcoming World Cup.

Mbappé’s Knee Injury – A Doubt for the First Leg

Kylian Mbappé is too a significant doubt for both legs of the Champions League tie against Manchester City due to a sprained left knee. The Standard reports that the forward has been struggling with recurring knee problems throughout the campaign. He was previously ruled out of the Champions League playoff second leg against Benfica due to the injury.

Coach Álvaro Arbeloa stated that Mbappé’s progress is “all good news,” but did not provide a definitive timeline for his return. ESPN reports that Arbeloa is taking a day-by-day approach to assess Mbappé’s condition, prioritizing a full recovery before his return to the pitch.

Mbappé has returned to Paris to seek advice on managing the injury, with Real Madrid confirming that the club’s medical services are overseeing his treatment. Fox Sports

Further Injury Concerns

Real Madrid are also without Jude Bellingham, who is expected to be sidelined until April as he recovers from a hamstring problem.

Impact on Team Performance

The injuries to key players come at a challenging time for Real Madrid, who have recently suffered back-to-back defeats in LaLiga against Osasuna and Getafe. These losses have left them four points behind Barcelona in the title race.

Young Players Under Scrutiny

Young signings Dean Huijsen and Franco Mastantuono have faced criticism from fans and the media for their recent performances. However, Arbeloa urged patience, drawing parallels to the early stages of Vinícius Júnior’s career.

The first leg against Manchester City is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11th, at the Bernabéu, with the return leg taking place on March 17th at the Etihad Stadium.