Tchouaméni not ruled out of Celta clash despite adductor recurrence with France
Aurélien Tchouaméni has left the France squad with a recurrence of the right adductor injury he suffered at the 2026 World Cup. First checks in Madrid found only groin discomfort, so Real Madrid have not ruled out a key starter for the restart of the title race.
Real Madrid are holding off on any verdict over Aurélien Tchouaméni. The midfielder has returned from international duty with a familiar problem in his right adductor. Yet he has not been ruled out of the Celta game at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The French Football Federation said in an official statement on 10 November that it had sent him back to Madrid after talking to Real Madrid’s doctors. France’s medical staff took his medical history into account. The decision was made with the player’s agreement. He was due to spend the night with the squad and fly to Madrid the next day. France will not replace him.
The problem had troubled him since he reported to Clairefontaine. Tchouaméni had been unable to finish France’s training session on Tuesday. He became the third player to leave the squad during this get-together, after Pierre Kalulu and Marcus Thuram.
First checks in Madrid found only groin discomfort
The picture in Madrid is less clear-cut than France’s decision might suggest. First checks found discomfort in his right groin area, according to Cadena COPE. Radiological and physical tests were set to begin on Thursday.
The club had issued no official medical report by 11 November. Without one, his availability rests on the outcome of Thursday’s tests.
Madrid’s winning run meets a test in midfield
Tchouaméni is a key starter for Mourinho. He started the 3-0 win at Valencia before the break. That result was Madrid’s eighth win in a row across LaLiga and the Champions League. Mbappé scored for the seventh match running.
Even with that momentum, the table after matchday 12 leaves Madrid second on 30 points. Barcelona lead on 33, and Atlético de Madrid sit third on 28. Losing a starter of Tchouaméni’s standing would come at a delicate moment. A busy run of fixtures follows the Celta game.
The international break has brought a second worry. Mbappé missed France training on Wednesday because of hamstring discomfort. He did recovery work in the gym instead. He will not play against Italy.
Celta visit the Bernabéu on matchday 13, on Saturday 21 November at 21:00. PSV then come to the same stadium for a Champions League meeting three days later, on Tuesday 24 November.
