Knee Doubt Looms as Real Madrid Readies for Sociedad Showdown
12 February 2026
Mbappe\'s status casts a shadow over Madrid\'s buildup
Real Madrid\'s camp, led by coach Álvaro Arbeloa, has received negative indications about star Kylian Mbappé ahead of Saturday\'s La Liga clash with Real Sociedad.
Madrid hosts Sociedad in round 24 of the Spanish league.
Marca reported that Real Madrid trained hard on Thursday in preparation for the upcoming match.
Players began on the grass with activation drills and tactical work, focusing on pressing after losing possession.
Mbappé was in the gym for the second consecutive day, with uncertainty surrounding his participation.
He continues to suffer pain in his left knee and follows a specific treatment plan since the end of last year. Participation will depend on his improvement over the next hours, with a final decision not to be taken until tomorrow.
Coach won\'t risk anything with Mbappé, especially with the Champions League tie against Benfica scheduled for next Tuesday, in the draw for the knockout round to reach the last 16.
Raúl Asensio missed training due to flu, but his availability for Real Sociedad does not seem in question.
As a note, the central defender is currently a starter in Arbeloa\'s lineup, who might be rested because of a leg injury (they play with a fracture) and given Rudiger\'s availability.
Given Asensio\'s suspension for the Benfica match, Rudiger is expected to return to central defense against Real Sociedad to give him some playing time before the Champions League tie.
Before Saturday\'s match, eyes turn to Carvajal, with Marca reporting that tension between the captain and Arbeloa has cooled after a Tuesday conversation, increasing his chances of playing against Real Sociedad.
Punchline: If Mbappé plays, the defense will need a GPS; if he doesn\'t, Madrid will still pretend their bench is a speedboat—fast, but currently docked. Punchline 2: In football, injuries are like pop-up ads—annoying, persistent, and somehow always appearing right before kickoff.
