The storm clouds are literally and figuratively hovering over Valdebebas. With just days to go before the blockbuster Champions League first leg against Manchester City, Álvaro Arbeloa is looking at a medical room that is far too crowded for comfort.
Aerial shots of the training ground this Saturday told the grim story. While the squad pushed through a rain-soaked morning session after arriving back from Vigo before dawn, several key figures who should have been in the frame were nowhere to be seen.
Here is the latest injury breakdown as Los Blancos prepare for battle.
The Left-Back Dilemma: Carreras on the Brink
The biggest immediate question mark sits on the left flank. Álvaro Carreras is trending toward being available, but there are absolutely no guarantees.
After taking a heavy blow to his left calf against Getafe, what initially looked like a minor knock has evolved into a real concern. The pain hasn’t subsided, and Carreras was restricted to gym work, physio, and recovery sessions today instead of joining his teammates on the pitch. The club remains quietly optimistic, but his status is strictly day-to-day. If he fails his late fitness tests, Ferland Mendy will be tasked with locking down the left side against Pep Guardiola’s attack.
Midfield Boost: Camavinga Survives the Toothache Drama
Finally, some good news for the engine room: Eduardo Camavinga is cleared for combat.
It has been a bizarre and frustrating week for the Frenchman. A severe tooth infection derailed his schedule, starting with an emergency dentist visit last Saturday. He missed the Getafe match, then traveled to Vigo for the Celta game, only to be pulled at the last minute and sent to the stands.
Arbeloa’s post-match comment raised plenty of eyebrows among the fanbase:
“I’m very happy for the people who wanted to come.”
It felt pointed, and Camavinga has taken some heavy criticism from the media over the last 48 hours. But today, despite lingering pain, he stepped up and completed the full session in the rain. He will play against City. The only debate now is whether Arbeloa starts him or rides the hot form of Thiago Pitarch.
The Headline Absences: Bellingham and Mbappé
The reality of the situation is harsh: at least six first-team players will be watching this crucial first leg from the stands. The two most painful absences are Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé.
- Jude Bellingham: Sidelined since February 1st with a significant tear in his left semitendinosus muscle, his recovery has stretched past the initial one-month timeline. However, he did step onto the grass today, offering a glimmer of hope that he can make the second leg.
- Kylian Mbappé: Dealing with a left knee issue, the Frenchman has been recovering in his homeland but returns to Valdebebas tomorrow. The atmosphere around his recovery is highly optimistic for the return leg at the Etihad, but he is definitively ruled out for Wednesday.
Current Real Madrid Player Status
| Player | Status | Injury/Issue |
| Éder Militão | Out | Knee |
| David Alaba | Out | Knee |
| Jude Bellingham | Out | Semitendinosus muscle tear |
| Kylian Mbappé | Out | Left knee |
| Rodrygo | Out | Unspecified/Unavailable |
| Dani Ceballos | Out | Unspecified/Unavailable |
| Álvaro Carreras | Doubtful | Left calf impact |
| Eduardo Camavinga | Available | Cleared (Tooth infection) |
Real Madrid’s depth is about to be tested on the biggest stage of them all.