REAL MADRID will be without top scorer Kylian Mbappe for tonight’s El Clasico at the Camp Nou.
Spanish newspaper Marca reported that the French superstar pulled up with a left hamstring injury at the end of the final training session ahead of the game.
Mbappe, 27, initially injured his hamstring three weeks ago during his side’s 1-1 draw against Real Betis, causing him to miss the 2-0 win over Espanyol last week.
Staff remained optimistic after he had successfully trained on Thursday and Friday, where he was almost injured again – this time by a Thibaut Courtois.
He will definitely play no part tonight as he has not been included in Real Madrid‘s official match day squad, while Englishmen Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jude Bellingham are in.
It will be seen as a huge blow as Mbappe has scored 12 goals in 10 matches against Barcelona, including a hat-trick against them in a 4-3 defeat at the Montjuic a year ago.
Barcelona are 11 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga, and need just a point to clinch back-to-back league titles.
If it happens, it would compound what has been a turbulent week both on and off the field for Los Blancos.
Mbappe himself has been at the centre of controversy after an online petition was launched on Tuesday to get him out of the club.
A day later, Mbappe’s former club PSG reached their second Champions League final in as many years – more finals than they made in the seven seasons he was playing for them – causing the petition to gather momentum.
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The petition has now reached over 73 MILLION signatures, and the website is accompanied with the words: “Madridistas, make your voice heard. If you believe change is needed, don’t stay silent – sign this petition and stand for what you think is best for the club’s future.”
If Mbappe does leave, there have been suggestions that Arsenal should sign him.
On top of that, there have reportedly been dressing room altercations – with one involving Mbappe and Antonio Rüdiger, and a separate one involving Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde on Thursday.
Mbappe has scored 85 goals in 100 appearances for Los Blancos since he signed from PSG in the summer of 2024, but it hasn’t been enough to help them win any major trophies.
For Barcelona, it has been quite the opposite.
Should they win the league tonight, it would be the club’s FIFTH trophy under Hansi Flick.
During that time, Barca have won five out of six Clasico’s while scoring 20 goals.
This week could end up being one of the worst in Real Madrid’s recent history, with Mbappe at the centre of it for all the wrong reasons.
