Real Madrid omit Kylian Mbappé from Clásico squad amid ongoing recovery protocols
Madrid's star forward is excluded from Sunday's fixture at Camp Nou following a hamstring injury sustained against Espanyol, as the club defends its strict supervision of his rehabilitation in Paris and Sardinia.
Real Madrid will not field Kylian Mbappé in Sunday's La Liga encounter against Barcelona at Camp Nou. The France international was omitted from the matchday squad after missing the previous weekend's victory over Espanyol due to a hamstring injury. Despite being the current top scorer in the league with 24 goals, the superstar forward is unavailable for the fixture that could see Barcelona secure a second consecutive title.
Barcelona enters the match holding an 11-point lead over Real Madrid and requires only a draw to clinch the championship. Conversely, the capital club faces a season marked by significant internal friction and a disappointing campaign that has drawn sharp criticism regarding its trajectory. The absence of Mbappé further complicates Madrid's efforts to challenge for the trophy as they head into the final stretch of the season.
The club has issued a statement defending its management of the situation, countering reports that the player was taking an excessive break. Representatives insisted that Mbappé's presence in Paris and Sardinia constitutes a recovery period strictly supervised by the club, rather than a personal holiday. They argue that public criticism often stems from an over-interpretation of these elements, failing to reflect the reality of the player's daily commitment and the rigorous work undertaken for the team.
Compounding the sporting narrative is a severe disciplinary crisis within the squad. Real Madrid has fined midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni €500,000 following an altercation that resulted in Valverde suffering a traumatic brain injury. The Uruguay midfielder is expected to be sidelined for between 10 and 14 days, while the club has simultaneously opened an investigation into the incident.
Mbappé remains in the recovery phase with an unclear timeline for his return to full fitness. While there are indications that he may have recovered sufficiently to participate in training drills, he continues to be excluded from the squad. This situation highlights a potential disconnect between physical readiness and the coaching staff's decision-making, even as the club maintains that his absence is a necessary part of his medical protocol.
