Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé to miss El Clásico with injury as Barcelona aim for title Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé is set to miss the crucial El Clásico match against Barcelona on Sunday due to a hamstring injury sustained during a previous game. The star forward has been excluded from the team's matchday squad for the high-stakes encounter at Camp Nou, which carries significant implications for the LaLiga title race. Barcelona, currently leading the league, are looking to secure their first title in over a decade, and a victory in this match would all but confirm their dominance. The injury, which occurred on April 24 during a clash against Real Betis, has kept Mbappé sidelined since, with no appearances for Real Madrid since. The 25-year-old's absence adds to the challenges faced by the defending champions, who trail Barcelona by 11 points with just four games remaining in the season. Mbappé's exclusion has sparked discussions about his role in the team's pursuit of silverware, as he remains LaLiga's top scorer this season with 24 goals. However, he is set to complete a second campaign at the Bernabéu without lifting a major trophy, a fact that has drawn attention amid the pressure of the title race. Mbappé's recent actions have also drawn scrutiny. During his recovery period, he took a holiday in Italy, where he was photographed on a yacht with his partner. The outing sparked criticism from fans and media, with some questioning his commitment to the team. However, Mbappé's representatives have defended the situation, calling the criticism an "overinterpretation of elements related to a recovery period strictly supervised by the club." They emphasized that the comments do not reflect the player's dedication or daily efforts for the team.#la_liga #real_madrid #kylian_mbappe #barcelona #el_clasico
Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior Emerges as Key Figure in LaLiga Title Race Real Madrid secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Espanyol on Sunday, keeping Barcelona from clinching the LaLiga title and extending the gap between the two rivals to 11 points with four matches remaining in the season. The win, secured by two goals from forward Vinícius Júnior, highlighted his growing importance to the team as they battle for supremacy in the league. Coach Álvaro Arbeloa praised Vinícius as a "born leader," emphasizing his impact on the game and his role in maintaining Real Madrid's competitive edge. The match at the RCDE Stadium was a tense encounter, with Real Madrid needing a win to avoid handing Barcelona the title ahead of the upcoming El Clásico. The result ensured the gap between the two clubs remained at 11 points, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown at Camp Nou next weekend. Vinícius, who scored both goals, showcased his attacking prowess with two stunning second-half strikes. His first goal came after a precise assist from Gonzalo García, while his second was set up by Jude Bellingham, underscoring the team's attacking cohesion. Arbeloa’s post-match comments underscored Vinícius’s leadership qualities, calling him "a total threat" in attack and praising his "aggressive, intelligent, brave, and constant" performances. The coach also acknowledged the challenges of the match, noting that Espanyol nearly reduced to 10 men in the first half when defender Omar El Hilali was initially sent off for a challenge on Vinícius. However, the red card was overturned after a VAR review, allowing Espanyol to continue the game with 11 players. The victory was significant not only for Real Madrid’s standing in the league but also for its psychological impact on the title race.#real_madrid #alvaro_arbeloa #vinicius_junior #barcelona #el_clasico
