Mbappe set to miss crucial UEFA Champions League encounter

The UEFA Champions League is frequently regarded as the peak of club soccer, bringing together the best players in the world at the highest level of competition. A small percentage of professionals will ever experience the exclusive world of the UEFA Champions League, yet for a select few, it appears to run in the family.

A tiny but noteworthy list of brothers who crossed paths in the UEFA Champions League exists. Théo Hernández and Lucas have met multiple times recently, and Gabriel and Diego Milito first crossed paths during the historic 2009–10 semifinal match involving FC Barcelona and Inter Milan.

It seems like we were going to have another family get-together when Real Madrid and LOSC Lille were drawn into a tie for the 2024–25 league phase. Kylian Mbappé’s younger sibling Ethan moved to Lille during the summer and the two stars were supposed to catch up at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Wednesday.

“I will not be on the pitch for some time” : Ethan Mbappe

But as he revealed on social media following his injury sustained during last weekend's victory over Le Havre, Ethan's setback has dashed dreams of a brotherly rendezvous. Ethan Mbappe spoke through Instagram as he said, “I injured myself during the match and I’m going to be absent for several weeks. It’s a difficult moment for me because it is the first time this has happened since I started playing football.

The former Paris Saint-Germain said, “Even if I will not be on the pitch for some time, I will continue to support my team and work hard behind the scenes. My dream of facing my brother in the Champions League is distant, but it has not disappeared.”

Sadly, Ethan may not be the only member of the family who has been hurt recently. Due to a muscle problem, Kylian Mbappé was unable to play in Sunday's 1-1 tie with Atlético Madrid. The 25-year-old forced the team to issue a statement regarding his fitness after he requested to be replaced late in a 3-2 victory against Alaves last month. There have been reports that the Frenchman is fit for the game and might be involved in the action.