Kylian Mbappé injury update: Will Real Madrid star start vs Atlético in the Madrid derby?

It’s been a month. The last time Kylian Mbappé started a game was February 21, against Osasuna in Pamplona. He was on the field, but not really himself. The burst was gone. The power, the edge, the bite. That lingering knee issue had taken its toll, and he finally accepted he needed to stop.

Since then, he’s been out for a month, aside from a brief 22-minute appearance in Manchester. Now, that wait appears to be over.

Mbappé has trained at full intensity and is expected to return to the starting lineup for the Madrid derby. That is the headline takeaway from a session packed with good news for Real Madrid.

Madrid stars back in time for derby

The injury list that once looked overcrowded is finally clearing.

Defender Álvaro Carreras is also back and pushing for a starting spot, while Jude Bellingham is set to be included in the squad, though a start remains unlikely.

Mbappé, by contrast, is all but locked into the XI after reporting no issues following his return in Manchester. In fact, he’s feeling even better now and is considered fully fit.

Manager Álvaro Arbeloa will still be without five players for the derby against city rivals Atlético Madrid. That number could change depending on any last-minute setbacks, but for now, it represents a major improvement.

Real Madrid injury report vs Atlético

Madrid’s youth academy plan

Arbeloa has 19 first-team players available; a very different situation from a week ago (against Elche he only had 14).

This number will give Castilla, Madrid’s B team, some leeway, as they face a crucial match tomorrow: they host Zamora, a direct rival for the playoffs (2:00 PM).

Thiago Pitarch is certain to remain with the first team. But with the rest of the young players, the plan is more flexible: they will play with the reserve team, and between Saturday night and Sunday morning, a decision will be made on who will reinforce the squad. There will be some, although not as many as in recent matches.

Several first-team players have already recovered. In fact, half of them have. Among them is Mbappé, who is sharpening his knives.

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