Real Madrid's Star Duo Mbappe and Bellingham Sidelined for Blockbuster Man City Clash
As Real Madrid host Manchester City at the Bernabéu this Wednesday evening, they'll be missing two of their star performers: Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham.
Los Blancos advanced through their Champions League knockout phase playoff against Benfica, only to face European powerhouse Man City in the round of 16. These two clubs have clashed in the knockout rounds for five consecutive seasons. This encounter will determine who advances to the quarterfinals.
Real Madrid enter this match amid turmoil—both tactically and administratively. The squad faces the prospect of finishing 2025–26 without silverware, Álvaro Arbeloa's position as manager appears precarious, and numerous key players remain sidelined with injuries, notably Mbappé and Bellingham.
Real Madrid Confirmed XI vs. Man City
Real Madrid Confirmed XI vs. Man City
Real Madrid starting XI vs. Man City (4-4-2): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Mendy; Valverde, Güler, Tchouaméni, Pitarch; Díaz, Vinicius Jr.
Subs: Lunin (GK), González (GK), Carvajal, Aguado, F. García, Asencio, Palacios, Camavinga, Cestero, Ángel, Mastantuono, G. García.
Why Mbappé, Bellingham Are Not Playing Against Man City
Why Mbappé, Bellingham Are Not Playing Against Man City
Both Mbappé and Bellingham are dealing with injuries that have excluded them from the opening leg against Pep Guardiola's squad. The French striker continues to struggle with the knee problem that sidelined him during the league phase meeting between these teams in December.
Despite Mbappé's return to Madrid following specialist treatment in France, he remains unfit to feature in Arbeloa's squad for Wednesday's encounter. The 27-year-old forward has been absent from the club's previous four fixtures across all competitions.
Bellingham, on the other hand, continues his rehabilitation from a severe hamstring problem sustained in early February. The England international left the field in distress after suffering the injury just 10 minutes into Los Blancos' 2–1 victory against Rayo Vallecano.
Early assessments indicated Bellingham would miss approximately four weeks, but complications in his recovery have prolonged his absence into March, depriving the team of its primary creative force for both the league phase playoffs and now the round of 16 opener.
Will Mbappé, Bellingham Be Available for Second Leg vs. Man City?
Will Mbappé, Bellingham Be Available for Second Leg vs. Man City?
Both Mbappé and Bellingham are working against time to be fit for the return fixture against Man City, though uncertainty remains over whether either player will recover sufficiently to travel to the Etihad.
Real Madrid have emphasized their cautious approach with the French superstar's recovery, determined to prevent further fitness complications as the campaign reaches its crucial phase. Given his absence from team training, the most optimistic scenario for Mbappé would be traveling to Manchester as a potential substitute option for the Mar. 17 clash.
Regarding Bellingham, his chances of participating in the second leg appear even more doubtful. The Athletic reports that Los Blancos view the Madrid derby—scheduled five days following the Manchester trip—as a more "achievable" comeback target for their midfield orchestrator, although they remain "optimistic" about his potential involvement against City.