Real Madrid XI vs Man City: Mbappe injury latest, predicted lineup, confirmed team news today

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·17 de março de 2026

Real Madrid XI vs Man City: Mbappe injury latest, predicted lineup, confirmed team news today

Jude Bellingham has made the trip to Manchester, but will not feature in Champions League decider

Real Madrid have been boosted by the return of Kylian Mbappe for their Champions League last-16 clash against Manchester City.

Vídeos OneFootball

Mbappe has not featured for Madrid since the 2-1 defeat to Osasuna in LaLiga on February 21, missing the last five games in all competitions with a knee injury.

Jude Bellingham, meanwhile, has been sidelined for over a month with a hamstring injury which was initially supposed to keep him out of action until after the March international break.

However, the midfielder has recovered quicker than expected and, along with Mbappe, was named in the Real Madrid squad for Tuesday night’s decider in Manchester.

The pair trained at the Etihad Stadium on Monday night, though Alvaro Arbeloa has confirmed that while Bellingham remains unavailable for selection, Mbappe will play some part at the Etihad Stadium.

“Bellingham wanted to come with his teammates to be with the team,” the Real Madrid boss said during the pre-match press conference.

“He will continue and do part of the training, but he won't be available tomorrow. I am very happy to see him getting closer and to feel his presence.

“It will be very important for his teammates to see him training and tomorrow before the match, at halftime, or afterward. He is a player who will be one of the leaders, and he already is. It's very important that he is here with us.

“Mbappe is already available, so you will see him tomorrow."

Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe both trained ahead of the Man City clash

Getty Images

With Real Madrid 3-0 up from the first leg and Man City needing to commit players forward in search of goals, the space in behind will suit the speed of Mbappe meaning he could start alongside Vinicius Jr in attack.

Alternatively, the Frenchman could be a useful weapon off the bench if the tie becomes stretched late on.

Arbeloa has switched between a 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 system recently, opting for the latter in the first leg against Man City and this may see Arda Guler moved to the flanks after he operated as a false nine last week.

Rodrygo, Dani Ceballos, Eder Militao, Raul Asencio and Ferland Mendy are all absent for Los Blancos, but Alvaro Carreras and David Alaba are back after missing the first leg.

Predicted Real Madrid XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Huijsen, Rudiger, Alvaro; Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Guler, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr.

Injured: Rodrygo, Ceballos, Militao, Asencio, Mendy

Doubt: Mbappe

Venue: Etihad Stadium

Date and time: 8pm GMT on Tuesday, March 17, 2026