Saturday 14 / February / 2026
MADRID-- Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa ended fears over the fitness of star striker Kylian Mbappe ahead of Real Madrid's La Liga tie at home to Real Sociedad on Saturday.
The French striker, who has hit 23 goals in 22 La Liga games this season - almost half of Real Madrid's total, missed training on Wednesday and Thursday, raising fears he might not be available for the weekend.
However, Mbappe trained with his teammates on Friday and Arbeloa told the press he was "available for tomorrow's match."
Vinicius Jr also returns after injury to face arguably the most in-form side after Real Sociedad has gone unbeaten in nine games since Pellegrino Matarazzo took over as first team coach.
The side from San Sebastian has won seven of those matches and drawn two, including a win at home to FC Barcelona, a draw against Atletico Madrid and a win away to Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of Wednesday's Copa del Rey semifinal.
"We have to look at how well they have been playing since the new manager arrived," admitted Arbeloa, adding that his side "knows Real Sociedad very well, the danger they pose, the difficulty of tomorrow's match. We're aware that, once again, we'll have to be at our best if we want all three points," he admitted.
Arbeloa was also asked about veteran defender Dani Carvajal, who hasn't played since he replaced Xabi Alonso as coach.
"I'm incredibly lucky to have an extraordinary squad. I like it that everyone feels important and is actively involved, because opportunities can arise at any moment," he said, before focussing on the defender.
"Carvajal is getting better and better. He's had another great week of training and I am the person most interested in having Carvajal at his best."
"I see him getting closer and closer to his best form, he'll have to prove it by playing. And I'm sure he'll do that soon," concluded Arbeloa.
