Mbappé and Courtois ruled out for Real Madrid vs Espanyol; both could be fit for Barcelona

Real Madrid will be without forward Kylian Mbappé and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for Sunday’s La Liga trip to Espanyol, the report says. The absences come with one week remaining before the hugely consequential El Clásico against Barcelona — a match that could decide the La Liga title depending on this weekend’s results.

Who is out, why it matters

According to World Soccer Talk’s report summarising Marca, Mbappé continues to struggle with injuries late in the season. He is sidelined by a muscle problem in his left hamstring sustained during the draw with Real Betis. That rules him out for the Espanyol match but leaves open the possibility he could return for the Barcelona fixture the following Sunday, depending on his recovery and the stakes of the title race.

Courtois is also unavailable for Espanyol. The goalkeeper suffered a thigh issue after being substituted early in the Champions League round-of-16 tie with Manchester City on March 17. The recovery was projected to be around six weeks, and the report indicates he is nearing a return and could be available for the match against Barcelona.

Squad implications and short-term replacements

Mbappé’s absence creates a starting vacancy in attack. The report names three main candidates to replace him for the Espanyol trip, noting Rodrygo is also unavailable. Youth-team forward Gonzalo García is described as the most likely option, with Brahim Díaz another possible choice. For the goalkeeper role, Andriy Lunin has started in Courtois’ absence; the report notes he has been unable to keep a clean sheet in seven matches.

• Kylian Mbappé out vs Espanyol with a left hamstring muscle problem (suffered vs Betis).
• Thibaut Courtois unavailable for Espanyol after a thigh injury sustained in the Champions League vs Manchester City on March 17; nearing a return.
• Rodrygo also unavailable for the Espanyol match.
• Gonzalo García is the likeliest attacking replacement; Brahim Díaz is another option.
• Andriy Lunin has filled in for Courtois and has gone seven matches without a clean sheet.

Context: title race and selection choices

The timing of these absences matters because Barcelona travel to Osasuna this weekend and a Barcelona victory combined with Real Madrid failure to beat Espanyol could hand the title to Barcelona, per the report. That scenario would reduce urgency to rush Mbappé back if he’s not fully fit, especially with international commitments for France to consider. The report frames Courtois’ situation as more positive for a return by El Clásico.

Injuries have been a recurring theme for Real Madrid this season, affecting availability across the squad. The Espanyol match therefore represents another test of the depth and readiness of younger or fringe players to step into high-stakes games.

What happens next

Real Madrid are expected to name a matchday squad and starting XI ahead of the trip to Espanyol; official confirmation from the club about injuries and selection will clarify Mbappé and Courtois’ status for the subsequent El Clásico. Given the stakes described in the report, the club’s medical updates and manager’s selection choices over the next week will determine whether either player is risked for the title-deciding fixture.