What happened: Kylian Mbappe has passed medical tests and is in the final stages of his return from injury, according to reports from Abraham Romero relayed by Fabrizio Romano. The Frenchman completed part of Real Madrid's group training session before continuing individual work, with the club expecting him available for selection in Sunday's El Clasico against Barcelona.

Why it matters: Mbappe's availability reshapes one of the season's biggest fixtures, with El Clasico carrying decisive weight in the LaLiga title race. His recovery has been a flashpoint after Alvaro Arbeloa publicly defended Mbappe's Italy holiday during the rehab window, drawing criticism that the player's camp pushed back on through an AFP statement. Restoring Madrid's top scorer for the Clasico removes a major tactical question Carlo Ancelotti has been managing for weeks.

What to watch: Watch for Real Madrid's official squad list ahead of Sunday's El Clasico to confirm Mbappe's inclusion. Minutes load and whether he starts or comes off the bench will be the next tell on his fitness.