Kylian Mbappe is set to return for Real Madrid against Manchester City in Tuesday’s Champions League last 16 second leg at Etihad Stadium, while Jude Bellingham
has travelled but will not play, Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed as Madrid chase another quarter-final place.
Mbappe missed the 3-0 first-leg win at Estadio Bernabeu because of a knee injury suffered on 21 February, yet the tournament’s current leading scorer with 13 goals has now been cleared, with Arbeloa stating: "He is ready to play,Arbeloa told reporters. So, tomorrow you will see. "
Real Madrid are rated as strong favourites to progress, with the Opta supercomputer giving Arbeloa’s side an 87% probability of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals, while the club also targets a fifth knockout victory over Manchester City, a figure bettered only by Bayern Munich’s seven exits against Los Blancos.
Mbappe has a notable record against Manchester City in the Champions League, scoring seven times versus the Premier League club, more than against any other opponent, including a hat-trick in last season’s play-off round, and the France international is expected to be eager for another decisive contribution.
pic.twitter.com/tWthq87YdSReal Madrid C.F.(@realmadriden) March 16, 2026
Despite Mbappe’s importance, Real Madrid’s numbers without the forward have drawn attention this season, as Arbeloa’s team have played 13 games in all competitions without the 27-year-old, scoring an average of 2.5 goals in those matches compared with 2.1 goals when Mbappe is involved.
Arbeloa dismissed the suggestion that Real Madrid function better without Mbappe, responding to criticism with the defence: "It's hard to imagine a team being more competitive without the best player in the world. But that speaks volumes about how well the team is doing, Arbeloa added. "
| Player | Games missed | Madrid goals with player | Madrid goals without player |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kylian Mbappe | 13 | 2.1 per game | 2.5 per game |
Arbeloa highlighted Mbappe’s specific strengths within the Real Madrid attack, explaining: "Kylian brings different qualities to the team than other players like Brahim, but he also has a great understanding of the game. He's a very intelligent player and capable of moving into the spaces created by the opposition. I'm eager to have him on the pitch. "
Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid Manchester City Champions League squad updates
While Mbappe returns, Bellingham’s situation is different, as the midfielder continues recovery from a hamstring injury picked up at the start of February, initially expected to sideline Bellingham for around one month before scans revealed a more severe problem, delaying any comeback despite clear improvement.
Bellingham still joined the squad travelling to Manchester City and will train partially, though Arbeloa made clear that the midfielder remains unavailable, saying: "Bellingham wanted to come with his team-mates to be with the team. He will continue and do part of the training, but he won't be available tomorrow, Arbeloa said. Mbappe is already available, so you will see him. I am eager to have him on the field, to enjoy him and his goals, but also in the game, he will be a very important player. "
The hamstring issue has also affected Bellingham’s international schedule, creating doubts over involvement for England’s upcoming March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, though Arbeloa stressed that Bellingham’s presence around the squad carries weight beyond minutes on the pitch at Etihad Stadium.
Arbeloa underlined the psychological value of Bellingham’s involvement with the group, stating: "It will be very important for his team-mates to see him training today and tomorrow before the match, at half-time, or afterwards, he added. 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. "
With Real Madrid close to the Champions League quarter-finals, Mbappe’s return to action and Bellingham’s visible progress give Arbeloa further options and reassurance, as Manchester City seek a comeback on home turf against a squad lifted by the availability of the competition’s leading scorer and the presence of one of its key midfield figures.
