Real Madrid News
Watch: Real Madrid superstar offers positive injury update as he nears full fitness
Real Madrid could soon receive a major boost ahead of their crucial UEFA Champions League showdown with Manchester City, as Kylian Mbappe continues to make steady progress in his recovery from injury.
The French forward has been working hard after suffering a sprained left knee, and he is targeting a return for the Champions League round of 16 second leg next Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium.
The stakes for the match are already extremely high. Real Madrid head into the second leg with a comfortable advantage after securing a 3-0 victory in the first meeting between the two sides.
While Real Madrid already hold a strong position, Mbappe’s potential return could provide an extra boost for the squad ahead of the decisive clash.
Encouraging signs
The French international recently gave everyone an encouraging update through social media.
On Friday, Mbappe shared a video from his training session at the Real Madrid City, showing him back on the pitch and working with the ball again.
The footage showed the French star running drills, striking the ball with power, and completing shooting exercises toward goal.
The session suggested that his knee condition is improving steadily as he moves closer to returning to full fitness.
‼️🤩 Mbappé está de vuelta.
— ElDesmarque (@eldesmarque) March 13, 2026
Las imágenes del entrenamiento del francés en la ciudad deportiva para recuperar el tono físico tras su lesión de rodilla.
🔗 https://t.co/DTyv30Yx6e 🔗 pic.twitter.com/9xyLe9vcLj
Earlier in the day, Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa had already offered a positive update during his press conference.
The manager expressed confidence that the upcoming La Liga match against Elche would likely be the final game Mbappe misses.
What now?
During Friday’s session, Mbappe trained individually after the official media period had ended.
Away from the rest of the squad, he completed endurance work with the ball while also testing his shooting ability.
Several powerful attempts on goal suggested that his left knee is responding well during the recovery process.
The injury dates back to December 7, when Mbappe suffered the sprain that has disrupted his rhythm throughout the early months of 2026.
So far this year, the forward has only been able to feature in nine of Real Madrid’s 17 matches, and the upcoming La Liga clash against Elche will mark the fifth consecutive game he has missed.
In a major update, AS reports that former Real Madrid midfielder and club legend Toni Kroos has taken his first step towards starting his coaching career.
The former Germany international has told the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) that he is interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers.
Real Madrid tried to bring Kroos back
It is no secret that Real Madrid considered bringing Toni Kroos back into the club’s structure after the end of the last season.
The club president, Florentino Perez, had wanted Kroos to have a daily presence at Valdebebas rather than making occasional appearances after his retirement.
Jose Angel Sanchez and Kroos spoke after Perez expressed his desire to see the German working at Valdebebas every day. However, they did not find the right moment, time or structure to give his return a clear form.
A comeback remains one of the possibilities most desired by Madrid supporters because of Kroos’ charisma and what he represents at the Santiago Bernabeu. Neither side wanted him to return simply for the sake of it, so the door remains open for the future.
The relationship between the two parties is excellent, and both know that the opportunity to work together again will eventually come.
Taking it step by step
For now, Kroos continues to run the academy he established in Boadilla, enjoying the opportunity to help develop younger players.
After two years away from the competitive side of football, however, he is beginning to look towards the dugout as a possible next step in his career.
Kroos currently holds coaching qualifications that allow him to work up to the third tier of Spanish football.
This is possible because professionals with at least seven years of proven experience and significant involvement at the elite level can gain direct access to accelerated coaching courses.
That means Kroos could coach a team in Primera Federacion, but the German wants to take things gradually.
Kroos has already informed the RFEF that he would be interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers during the 2027/28 season.
The course taking place this season is not available to elite former players, with UEFA limiting each campaign to 20 places.
With his current qualifications, Kroos could work as an assistant coach, but he cannot yet take charge as a head coach in either the top flight or the Segunda División.
But completing that programme would allow Kroos to obtain the UEFA A licence, which would enable him to coach teams at any level.
