Real Madrid hopeful of having key superstar available for derby vs Atletico Madrid

Real Madrid have been hit hard by a wave of injuries once again which threaten to further derail their campaign which has already gotten quite shaky.

A number of important players are currently in the infirmary, including two of the biggest names in the squad – Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham .

Providing an update on their situation, Mario Cortegana of The Athletic reports that both Mbappe and Bellingham are ruled out of next week’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg against Manchester City.

There is a slim chance of the French forward returning in time for the second leg at the Etihad a week later, but Bellingham will not make it back in time for that game either.

However, as per the report, Real Madrid are hopeful of recovering the England international midfielder in time for the derby against Atletico Madrid.

Out with a hamstring injury. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Los Blancos host Diego Simeone & co. on 22 March, which will be their final game before the first international break of 2026.

And the club are hopeful of having Bellingham available for the match, although as things stand, there is still no proper clarity about his return as well as Mbappe’s.

Bellingham has been out of action for more than a month now, having suffered a hamstring injury against Rayo Vallecano in early February.

Much like Mbappe flying to France to seek a second opinion on his knee injury, Bellingham, too, has travelled to London this week to get his hamstring issue assessed by another specialist. Now, it remains to be seen when he makes his comeback.