Kylian Mbappe’s dream of Champions League glory was shattered on Wednesday night as Real Madrid crashed out of the tournament following a 2-1 home loss to Arsenal, sealing a comprehensive 5-1 defeat on aggregate.
The Spanish giants, trailing 3-0 from the first leg in London, faced an uphill battle at the Santiago Bernabeu. Despite a spirited effort, they were unable to overturn the deficit, sending the English side into the semifinals and leaving Madrid’s season in further disarray.
To make matters worse, Mbappe, who had joined Real Madrid with hopes of finally clinching the elusive Champions League title, was forced off in the 75th minute after twisting his right ankle. Although he managed to walk off the pitch unassisted, he was noticeably limping, raising concerns ahead of the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona in just 10 days.
In a stunning turn of events, many in the home crowd jeered as the French superstar’s substitution was announced. The reaction marked a sharp contrast to the fanfare surrounding his arrival last summer, when the 26-year-old was hailed as the club’s marquee signing to spearhead their European ambitions.
Real Madrid has not released any official update on the severity of Mbappe’s injury. However, the timing could not be worse. With the Copa del Rey final looming and Barcelona in formidable form, Real’s chances of ending the season with silverware are now under greater threat.
Adding to their woes, Mbappe is already set to miss the next La Liga clash against Athletic Club due to a one-match suspension. He received a red card during Real’s narrow 1-0 win over Deportivo Alaves, further limiting manager Carlo Ancelotti’s options in a crucial stage of the season.
Real Madrid, currently second in La Liga, trails leaders Barcelona by four points with just seven matches remaining. The two teams previously met in the Spanish Super Cup final earlier this year, where Barcelona handed Real a stinging 5-2 defeat.
With Champions League hopes dashed, an injury cloud over Mbappe, and mounting pressure in domestic competitions, Real Madrid’s season teeters on the brink. All eyes will now be on the medical team’s assessment and whether Mbappe can recover in time to play a pivotal role in the decisive fixtures ahead.
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