At Real Madrid, they are still adjusting pieces for the match against Celta Vigo and also in the medical department. Jude Bellingham has activated the same protocol as Kylian Mbappe in search of a second medical opinion abroad under the direct supervision of the club. The delay with his problems in the semitendinosus of his left leg have been key in the decision to seek the assessment of another specialist.

The club says that the Englishman has been in London for several days, accompanied by the head of the Medical Services, as part of the usual system of external consultations (after MARCA's exclusive report on Mbappe's trip to France) applied by Dr. Nico Mihic. It is not a request from the player, nor a whim. According to sources at Valdebebas, it is the other way around: it is the club who proposes these second opinions when it considers that they can help to optimize diagnoses and deadlines. Real Madrid has no hesitation in defending Mihic's method after backing the decision of Mbappe and Bellingham to travel to their home countries.

In Defense of the Mihic Method

This method is not new. All cruciate ligament injuries, for example, are consulted with specialist Manuel Leyes, a traumatologist who has worked with many Real Madrid players in the past. In the past, medical consultants such as Dan Cooper (Dallas Cowboys) and Kris Jones (Lakers) were also regular advisors. The Englishman's absence, which has now lasted more than a month, is very sensitive and that is why it has been decided to seek another opinion to see if it is possible to shorten the time to get him back as soon as possible.

Mbappe, against the clock

The parallel with Mbappe is clear. The Frenchman also travelled to check his medical situation and now he is still working against the clock to try to be available on Wednesday. The club is confident with the conservative treatment he has started to follow in order to be ready in time for the crucial Champions League match next Wednesday at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. The Frenchman has put himself in the hands of Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet, one of the world's most renowned knee injury specialists, to find the definitive solution.

Although his presence is complicated, he remains hopeful. He is currently in Paris working with the club's fitness coaches and will return on Friday. The final decision will depend on his feelings and evolution in the coming days, although it is difficult to think that the Frenchman will return so soon to the pitch. In addition, the good news of the morning session was the return to the pitch of Asensio. The centre-back completed part of the session with the group and another on his own with the aim of helping the team in Vigo in view of the absentees in defence.