Real Madrid Faces Crucial Challenges Under Arbeloa Amid Mbappé’s Injury Woes

The atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabeu has quickly deteriorated this January, as Real Madrid finds itself trapped in a “very negative dynamic” after a series of disheartening results. Having relinquished two potential titles within just a week, the Spanish football giants are in turmoil. The dismissal of Xabi Alonso following the Supercopa de Espana final loss to Barcelona was intended to act as a catalyst for change; however, his successor, Alvaro Arbeloa, has faced a challenging start.

Arbeloa’s tenure commenced on a disastrous note with a humiliating exit from the Copa del Rey at the hands of Albacete earlier this week. Now, as he readies himself for his first La Liga match against Levante, he has suffered a significant setback with reports from French publication L’Equipe indicating that Kylian Mbappé will miss the encounter. The French superstar is still grappling with persistent issues in his left knee, which, although less painful, renders him unfit for high-level competition.

Mbappé’s absence presents Arbeloa with a pressing tactical challenge. The match against Levante has escalated in significance; it is no longer merely a routine league encounter but a critical opportunity for Madrid to demonstrate that their season is not “over.” Currently trailing Hansi Flick’s Barcelona by four points in La Liga, any further missteps could jeopardize their title defense.

Arbeloa, who was promoted from the Castilla side to stabilize the situation, is already under considerable pressure following the stunning defeat to Albacete. This loss, compounded by the previous defeat to Barcelona in Saudi Arabia that cost Alonso his position, has shattered the squad’s confidence. Without his primary goal threat, Arbeloa is tasked with revitalizing a team that appears both physically and mentally drained. Additionally, he will be without defenders Eder Militao, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Antonio Rudiger for this match, further complicating his preparations.

The nature of Mbappé’s injury has sparked heated debate and controversy within the Spanish capital. His fitness issues have been characterized as “intermittent,” leading to growing frustration among fans and club officials. These problems reportedly arose just before the Champions League clash with Manchester City late last year, a match viewed as a pivotal moment for Alonso. Madrid lost that game without their key player, yet Mbappé returned to action shortly thereafter.

The situation has been exacerbated by Mbappé’s ambition for individual accolades. Following the defeat to Manchester City, he had three matches left in the calendar year of 2025 to match Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for the most goals scored for Real Madrid in a single calendar year. Despite his knee issues, Mbappé played in all three matches, scoring the necessary goals to tie the record. However, this pursuit appears to have come at a significant cost, as the strain of chasing Ronaldo’s milestone exacerbated his injury, sidelining him for the opening two games of 2026: a league match against Real Betis and the Supercopa semi-final against Atletico Madrid.

The saga took another turn during the Supercopa final against Barcelona in Saudi Arabia. After close monitoring of his fitness, Mbappé was deemed fit enough only for a place on the bench, despite earlier indications that he would miss the competition entirely. He was brought on for a brief 15-minute appearance but was unable to prevent the defeat that ultimately sealed Alonso’s fate.

Since that limited involvement, Mbappé has returned to the treatment room. He was absent during the Copa del Rey debacle against Albacete, and L’Equipe confirms that he will miss the upcoming match against Levante. The publication states that while the player does not “regret” pushing his limits to equal Ronaldo’s record, he has acquired a more cautious stance towards his knee moving forward, meaning Arbeloa cannot depend on his star player until he is fully fit.

For Real Madrid, the situation is indeed precarious. The optimism that accompanied Alonso’s appointment has dissipated, replaced by uncertainty as Arbeloa assumes the helm. Losing the Supercopa and crashing out of the Copa del Rey to lower league opposition in less than a week has marked an unexpected low point.

With Barcelona looking formidable under Flick, Real Madrid risks watching their season slip away before February even arrives.