Kylian Mbappe Named in PSG Champions League Squad vs. Bayern After Injury

The French star was expected to miss three weeks after suffering a thigh injury but has been named in the squad for the round of 16 first leg.

Just 11 days after being ruled out for three weeks, Kylian Mbappé was named in PSG’s Champions League squad to face Bayern Munich on Tuesday. 

But whether he plays in the Champions League round of 16 first leg is another matter. 

On Saturday, after PSG’s Ligue 1 loss to Monaco, manager Christophe Galtier said he doubted Mbappé’s availability for the all-important tie with the German champions. 

But the French superstar went on to participate in PSG’s two training sessions since the Monaco loss—the club’s fourth loss in 11 games—before his inclusion in the 22-man squad. Lionel Messi and Marco Verratti, who have both missed time due to injury, were also named in the team.

“Kylian trained with the squad today and completed the whole session,” Galtier said in his prematch press conference. “I didn’t think he would be ready. We took the decision to let him take part if he felt ready. We’re not quite sure if he’ll be on the team sheet, we’ll see tomorrow morning.”

Last week, Bayern manager Julian Nagelsmann said he was “preparing for the game as if [Mbappé] is going to play,” and, according to ESPN, Mbappé will start on the bench against Bayern Munich at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.

The 2022 World Cup Golden Boot winner suffered the thigh injury in the first half of the club’s win over Montpellier on Feb. 1 before he was ruled out for three weeks. Now, Mbappé will return hoping to turn around PSG’s fortunes. 

The French champions currently sit first in Ligue 1 with a five-point lead over Marseille, who knocked PSG out of the French Cup last week. PSG has only won two of its last five games across all competitions and only faces Bayern in the first knockout round because it finished second in its Champions League group to Benfica.