Real Madrid Injury News El Clásico: Mbappé and Courtois Remain Major Doubts for Camp Nou Clash

The stakes for Sunday night’s El Clásico couldn’t be higher, but for Carlo Ancelotti, the preparation is less about tactics and more about a medical waiting game. As Real Madrid prepares to travel to Barcelona, the club is grappling with a depleted squad and the looming possibility that two of its most influential stars may not be fit to start.

Real Madrid enters this fixture as the underdog in the title race, sitting second in the La Liga table. With an 11-point gap separating them from the leaders, the math is brutal: Barcelona only needs a single point at the Camp Nou to officially secure the 2025-26 championship. For Los Blancos, this isn’t just a rivalry match—This proves a desperate fight to keep their slim title hopes alive.

The Medical Room: A Crisis of Availability

The primary concern heading into Sunday is the status of Kylian Mbappé. The French superstar has been sidelined since April 24, when he suffered a hamstring injury during a clash with Real Betis. While he has been training, recent reports indicate that Mbappé remains a “major doubt” and will require a late fitness test to determine if he can feature in the starting XI.

Similarly, the situation in goal is precarious. Thibaut Courtois, who suffered an adductor injury during a Champions League encounter with Manchester City in March, is also listed as a major doubt. While the experienced Belgian goalkeeper is eyeing a return on May 10, his availability remains unconfirmed, leaving Ancelotti to decide whether to risk his primary shot-stopper or stick with the current backup.

Beyond the immediate doubts, Real Madrid is missing two pillars of their squad for the long term:

• Rodrygo: The Brazilian winger is out indefinitely following a severe knee injury suffered last month. The damage is significant enough that he is expected to miss approximately one year of action.
• Eder Militao: The center-back has been ruled out for roughly five months after undergoing surgery for a hamstring injury sustained against Alaves on April 21.

For a global audience following the drama in Spain, the loss of Militao and Rodrygo strips Madrid of both defensive stability and a critical outlet of pace on the wing, forcing Ancelotti to lean heavily on his remaining depth.

Tactical Implications: Ancelotti’s Balancing Act

The absence of Militao, in particular, creates a void in the heart of the defense. Real Madrid has struggled for consistency in the backline since April, and facing a high-pressing Barcelona side without their primary defensive anchor is a daunting prospect. Ancelotti will likely have to shift his defensive line or rely on a more conservative mid-block to protect a potentially vulnerable center.

If Mbappé is unavailable, the offensive burden shifts entirely to the remaining forwards. Without the gravity that Mbappé draws from defenders, Barcelona’s backline can afford to be more aggressive, potentially suffocating Madrid’s build-up play from the midfield. The “reinforcement” the team needs most is not a new signing, but the return of their fittest stars.

The psychological weight of the 11-point deficit also plays a role. Real Madrid is playing for pride and a mathematical miracle, while Barcelona plays for a trophy. This disparity in motivation often manifests in the first twenty minutes of El Clásico, where the home crowd at Camp Nou typically fuels a blistering start for the Catalan side.

The Roadmap to Sunday

As the team completes its final training sessions, the focus is on recovery and risk management. The “forgiveness” sought by the club isn’t about a single player’s mistake, but rather a collective redemption for a season where they allowed the lead to slip so far. To win at the Camp Nou, Madrid must execute a near-perfect game while hoping their medical staff can clear their two biggest stars for the pitch.

The final confirmation on the starting lineup will come shortly before kickoff on Sunday. Whether Ancelotti can field a competitive side or is forced to go into the most crucial game of the season depleted will likely decide the fate of the 2025-26 La Liga trophy.

Next Checkpoint: Official team sheets are expected to be released 60-90 minutes prior to kickoff on Sunday, May 10. Stay tuned for the confirmed status of Mbappé and Courtois.

Do you think Real Madrid can pull off a miracle at the Camp Nou without a full-strength squad? Let us know in the comments.