Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé has been spotted putting in extra work at the club's Valdebebas training complex ahead of Sunday's blockbuster El Clásico showdown against Barcelona. The French striker, who is currently recovering from an injury picked up in the match against Real Betis, is doing everything in his power to be fit for the clash with Los Blancos' arch-rivals.

With Barcelona sitting comfortably at the top of the La Liga table, holding an 11-point lead, there's little more than pride and bragging rights on the line for this fixture. Yet the competitive fire in Mbappé seems undimmed, as he pushes through his recovery to potentially feature in one of football's most iconic rivalries.

However, with the FIFA World Cup just a month away, it would be a massive gamble for the 26-year-old to risk aggravating his injury in a match that carries relatively low stakes for the league title race. Common sense suggests that the smart play would be to prioritize his long-term fitness over a single game.

Adding to the intrigue, several key players from both sides are already confirmed absentees for El Clásico. Real Madrid will be without Arda Güler and Tchouaméni, while Barcelona are missing Ferland Mendy, Lamine Yamal, and Raphinha. Given these circumstances, it wouldn't be surprising to see Mbappé given the night off to ensure he's at full strength for the bigger battles ahead.