Kylian Mbappe named in PSG squad vs Real Madrid despite sore foot

Kylian Mbappe, Paris Saint Germain’s star-forward, was named in the team’s squad for the Champions League mega-clash versus  Real Madrid despite nursing a sore left foot. The two sides will clash on Wednesday, March 10 at the Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid. 

Mbappe injured his left foot during training on Monday, two days before the team travels to Real Madrid for their second leg of the round of 16. PSG said the 23-year-old received treatment and that his fitness will be reassessed on Tuesday. 

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Mbappe scored scored a stoppage time winner in the first leg of the round of 16 against Madrid. PSG lead 1-0. The winner of the contest will head to the quarter-finals. 

Mbappé, who has been linked with a move to Madrid when his contract expires at the end of the season, has been in stellar form with 24 goals and 17 assists in all competitions. He was suspended at the weekend when PSG lost at Nice 1-0 in the French league. 

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Pochettino is set to be without former Madrid defender Sergio Ramos and Spaniard Ander Herrera because of injuries, and Achraf Hakimi, another former Madrid player, was listed as doubtful. Ramos will make the trip to the Spanish capital despite not being available.

PSG squad: Keylor Navas, Achraf Hakimi, Presnel Kimpembe, Marquinhos, Marco Verratti, Kylian Mbappé, Leandro Paredes, Mauro Icardi, Neymar Jr, Angel Di María, Danilo Pereira, Colin Dagba, Georginio Wijnaldum, Abdou Diallo, Julian Draxler, Thilo Kehrer, Nuno Mendes, Idrissa Gueye, Eric-Junior Dina-Ebimbe, Lionel Messi, Xavi Simons, Edouard Michut, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alexandre Letellier

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Madrid eliminated PSG at this stage in 2018 en route to winning the title for the third year in a row, although the French club came out on top in the two previous knockout encounters between the teams.

Madrid is the record 13-time European champion, while PSG is seeking its first Champions League trophy.

A crowd of 60,000 — the biggest since the coronavirus pandemic started — is expected at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, which remains below its full capacity because of renovation work.