Mbappe sidelined as Real Madrid turmoil deepens ahead of Levante test
Real Madrid’s crisis has intensified with confirmation that Kylian Mbappe will miss this weekend’s vital La Liga clash against Levante, leaving interim coach Alvaro Arbeloa facing another major setback in a season that is rapidly unraveling.
The French forward has been ruled out due to ongoing problems with his left knee, depriving Arbeloa of his most decisive attacking weapon just days into his tenure. The timing could hardly be worse, with Madrid reeling from a brutal week that has seen them lose the Supercopa de Espana final to Barcelona and crash out of the Copa del Rey.
Arbeloa, appointed following the dismissal of Xabi Alonso, has endured a punishing start to life on the first team bench. His debut ended in embarrassment with a shock cup defeat to Albacete, and now his first league match in charge arrives under the weight of growing expectation and a shrinking squad.
The situation matters deeply for Madrid’s title ambitions. Los Blancos trail Hansi Flick’s Barcelona by four points in La Liga, and any further dropped points risk turning a difficult campaign into a lost one before the season reaches its decisive phase. The Levante fixture is no longer routine but a test of resilience and credibility.
The mood around the Santiago Bernabeu has shifted sharply. January has brought a hostile atmosphere, shaped by poor results and uncertainty on the touchline. Madrid’s recent performances have lacked intensity and cohesion, and the squad appears physically and mentally drained after surrendering two potential trophies in a matter of days.
Key incidents off the pitch have compounded the crisis. Mbappe’s absence is accompanied by a defensive injury list that includes Eder Militao, Trent Alexander Arnold, and Antonio Rudiger, leaving Arbeloa with limited options across the spine of his team as he attempts to restore balance.
Mbappe’s fitness has been a recurring flashpoint. His knee issues first surfaced late last year ahead of the Champions League tie against Manchester City, a match Madrid lost without him. Despite concerns, he returned quickly and featured heavily at the end of 2025 while chasing Cristiano Ronaldo’s club record for goals in a calendar year.
That pursuit saw Mbappe play through discomfort in three consecutive matches, scoring four times to draw level with Ronaldo. The physical toll of that run aggravated the injury, forcing him to miss the opening matches of 2026, including the Supercopa semi final against Atletico Madrid and the Copa del Rey defeat to Albacete.
The pattern continued in the Supercopa final against Barcelona. After close monitoring, Mbappe was named on the bench and introduced late for a brief cameo, but he was unable to alter the outcome as Madrid fell short again. He has since returned to treatment and will remain unavailable against Levante, with reports indicating a more cautious approach to avoid further damage.
Attention now turns to how Arbeloa reshapes his side in Mbappe’s absence. Madrid must find goals and belief from within a squad that has looked fragile under pressure, while also stabilising defensively with key figures missing.
The result against Levante will not define the season on its own, but it may set the tone for what follows. With Barcelona gathering momentum and confidence draining fast in Madrid, Arbeloa faces the immediate task of stopping the slide before the campaign slips beyond recovery.