Injury prevents UCL clash between Kylian Mbappé and brother Ethan

The Champions League is often cited as the pinnacle of club soccer, the meeting point for the world’s biggest talents at the top table of the game. Only a fraction of all professionals will make it to the rarefied air of the UCL, but for some it seems to run in the family.

There is small but significant list of brothers who have met in the Champions League. Lucas and Théo Hernández have met numerous times in recent years, while Gabriel and Diego Milito met in the infamous 2009/10 semi-final clash between Barcelona and Inter Milan.

When the draw for the 2024/25 league phase threw up a tie between Real Madrid and LOSC Lille, it looked like we were about to get another family reunion. Kylian Mbappé’s younger brother Ethan signed for Lille over the summer and the two players were scheduled to meet at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Wednesday.

But an injury to Ethan has ended hopes of a brotherly meeting, as he confirmed on social media after suffering an injury in last weekend’s win over Le Havre.

“I injured myself during the match and I’m going to be absent for several weeks,” Ethan wrote on Instagram. “It’s a difficult moment for me because it is the first time this has happened since I started playing football.

“Even if I will not be on the pitch for some time, I will continue to support my team and work hard behind the scenes,” the 17-year-old continued. “My dream of facing my brother in the Champions League is distant, but it has not disappeared.”

Is Kylian Mbappé playing for Real Madrid against Lille?

Unfortunately, Ethan is not the only family member to have picked up an injury in recent weeks. Kylian Mbappé was absent for Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Atlético Madrid due to a muscular issue.

The 25-year-old asked to be substituted late on a 3-2 win over Alaves last month, forcing the club to release a statement on his fitness.

“Following tests carried out today by Real Madrid’s Medical Services on our player Kylian Mbappé, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the biceps femoris in his left leg. His progress will be monitored,” the statement read.

He was expected to be out until after the October international break but Mbappé was surprisingly included in Real Madrid’s matchday squad for the trip to Lille. He looks unlikely to start but head coach Carlo Ancelotti may choose to give him some minutes as he continues his recovery.