- Title: Real's Arbeloa hopes Mbappe can be match-fit for Manchester trip
- Date: 13th March 2026
- Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (MARCH 13, 2026) (REUTERS) REAL MADRID PLAYERS WARMING UP FORWARD VINICIUS JR WARMING UP GOALKEEPER THIBAUT COURTOIS WARMING UP VARIOUS OF MIDFIELDER FEDERICO VALVERDE PASSING IN RONDO DRILL ARBELOA AND STAFF WATCHING SESSION COURTOIS AND VINICIUS CHASING BALL IN RONDO DRILL VARIOUS OF VALVERDE VARIOUS OF VINICIUS IN RONDO DRILL COURTOIS CHASING BALL
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: Alvaro Arbeloa Elche La Liga Real Madrid Spain soccer
- Location: MADRID, SPAIN
- City: MADRID, SPAIN
- Country: Spain
- Topics: Europe,Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA001368913032026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa said on Friday (March 13) he hopes forward Kylian Mbappe will be fit to travel to Manchester for next week’s Champions League tie as the team prepared for their La Liga match against Elche.
Arbeloa told reporters Mbappé was improving but would not feature against Elche.
“I want him to be able to travel to Manchester… hopefully he’ll be able to play against Atletico Madrid,” he said, adding the club would assess the forward over the weekend.
Arbeloa stressed the physical demands on the squad and urged his players to maintain intensity every three days.
Looking ahead to Elche, he said the league was “at stake” and called for a strong home atmosphere similar to Wednesday’s European fixture.
The coach also praised goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, saying the Belgian was “surely the best goalkeeper in Real Madrid’s history”.
Los Blancos are four points adrift of leaders Barcelona while Elche sit one place above the relegation zone with 26 points in La Liga.
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