Madrid, March 9, 2026 – The Europe Today: Real Madrid have suffered a major setback ahead of their UEFA Champions League showdown with Manchester City, with midfielder Jude Bellingham unlikely to feature in the first leg of the tie.
The 22-year-old is still recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in early February during a match against Rayo Vallecano. Club sources indicate that while Real Madrid hope he might return for the second leg scheduled for March 17, the derby against Atletico Madrid five days later is considered a more realistic target for his comeback.
Bellingham has recently been in London seeking a second medical opinion from a specialist, accompanied by Real Madrid’s medical staff, as the club continues to monitor his recovery.
Meanwhile, forward Kylian Mbappé is also expected to miss the first leg against Manchester City. The French star has been dealing with persistent knee pain since December and recently travelled to Paris for further medical tests.
Real Madrid remain cautious about rushing Mbappé back into action, concerned that premature involvement could worsen the injury. His representatives have ruled out surgery for now, describing the issue as a sprain, though the timeline for his return remains uncertain.
Both players are expected to return to Spain over the weekend, but their availability before the upcoming international break remains unclear. Following the Champions League encounter, Real Madrid’s only scheduled match before the break is the Madrid derby against Atletico on March 22.
Bellingham has not played since February 1, with sources suggesting the injury is more complex than initially believed. His recovery period has been extended to six to eight weeks, making an early March return unlikely.
Mbappé, meanwhile, continues to undergo medical assessments to track his recovery progress.
The situation could also impact international fixtures. Thomas Tuchel, head coach of the England national football team, is set to announce his squad on March 20 for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, with Bellingham’s fitness still uncertain.
Similarly, France national football team are scheduled to face Brazil and Colombia in friendlies on March 26 and 29, though Mbappé’s participation remains in doubt.
Despite the injury concerns, both players have played key roles for Real Madrid this season. Bellingham has made 28 appearances, scoring six goals and providing four assists, while Mbappé has featured 33 times, delivering an impressive 38 goals and six assists.
Their potential absence would represent a significant challenge for Real Madrid as they prepare for one of the toughest fixtures of their campaign. ⚽
