Kylian Mbappe injury latest as massive Barcelona clash looms in Copa del Rey final

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Evening Standard

·17 aprile 2025

Kylian Mbappe injury latest as massive Barcelona clash looms in Copa del Rey final

Wretched night for Los Blancos against Arsenal in the Champions League was compounded by their top scorer limping off

Kylian Mbappe is not thought to be in danger of missing Real Madrid’s huge Copa del Rey final showdown with Barcelona, reports claim.

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Fresh injury fears over the French superstar were sparked on Wednesday night after he hurt his ankle while tracking back to make a challenge on Declan Rice at the Bernabeu during a 2-1 loss to Arsenal in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

Mbappe received treatment on the pitch but could not continue and limped off with 15 minutes to go as Brahim Diaz was sent on in his place.

While no update on Los Blancos’ top scorer was forthcoming immediately after the game and much of the post-match focus from a Real Madrid perspective was on the hugely uncertain future of manager Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid-based outlet Diario AS reported that initial scans indicated that Mbappe had suffered a mild sprain to his right ankle.

They said the issue was not believed to be too serious and should not impact on his availability for the high-profile Copa del Rey final against Barcelona at the Estadio Olimpico de la Cartuja in Seville on April 26.

Another crucial Clasico showdown in LaLiga follows just two weeks later on May 11, a game that could yet prove pivotal in the title race with Barca currently boasting a four-point lead over their fiercest rivals at the summit with only seven fixtures remaining this term.

Mbappe would not have been available for Real Madrid’s return to LaLiga action at home to Athletic Club on Sunday night anyway, having been handed a one-match suspension following his first-half sending off for a woeful challenge on Antonio Blanco during last weekend’s 1-0 win away at Alaves.

Mbappe was initially shown a yellow card before that was upgraded to red following a VAR review. A three-game suspension would have seen him miss the Copa del Rey final, but the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed on Tuesday that he has only been suspended for one match after a commission review.

A short trip to Getafe follows that Athletic game on April 23, with the Copa del Rey final then followed by games against Celta Vigo and Barcelona. Real Madrid still also have to play Mallorca, Sevilla and Real Sociedad before the summer, when they will compete at the inaugural edition of the expanded Club World Cup in the United States.

Madrid did not appear to suffer any other new injury concerns against Arsenal, with the likes of long-term absentee Dani Carvajal - who was involved in a heated half-time bust-up with Bukayo Saka - still sidelined along with Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy and Andriy Lunin.

French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga was suspended for the second leg against Arsenal but will be back in action at the weekend.