Álvaro Arbeloa has confirmed that Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé are back in the Real Madrid squad ahead of their Champions League trip to face Manchester City.
Both players had been sidelined with injuries, but the coach revealed they are now fit enough to travel with the team. While Mbappé is available for selection, Bellingham is still working his way back and is close to full fitness.
Mbappé and Bellingham boost for Madrid
Mbappé has returned to training after recovering from a left knee sprain that ruled him out of recent matches. Bellingham has also resumed training following a hamstring injury, which required a period of rehabilitation.
The French forward followed a cautious recovery plan over the past three weeks to avoid surgery, and his return is expected to add a new dimension to Madrid’s attack—even if he doesn’t start the game. Arbeloa praised his intelligence and impact, saying he brings something different to the team and is eager to have him back on the pitch.
No automatic spots in the team
Despite the return of key players, Arbeloa made it clear that no one is guaranteed a place in the starting lineup. He stressed that selections are based on performance, not reputation.
According to him, players like Federico Valverde, Vinícius Júnior, and Aurélien Tchouaméni have earned their minutes through hard work, while academy players have also impressed with their performances.
With more players regaining fitness, the coach admitted he now has more options to choose from—a challenge he welcomes as the season intensifies. His focus, he said, is always on picking the best team for each match.
Preparing for the Haaland threat
Looking ahead to the clash, Arbeloa also spoke about the challenge of containing Erling Haaland. Madrid managed to keep the Norwegian striker quiet in the first half of their previous meeting, and the coach suggested a similar defensive approach could be used again.
He also highlighted the performance of Arda Güler, who played a key role in handling Haaland, noting that the team will assess whether to repeat that strategy.
Arbeloa reserved special praise for Valverde, who scored a hat-trick in the earlier fixture. He described the midfielder as being in top form and confirmed that his role in the team will remain unchanged, even with the return of Mbappé and Bellingham.
