Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker has been ruled out of Manchester City’s Champions League match against Real Madrid.
The Cityzens will take on the Los Blancos in Spain’s capital in the 2023/24 Champions League quarterfinal first-leg on April 10.
It will be a rematch of the 2022/23 semifinal when City aced pass the LaLiga and European giants with a 5-1 aggregate victory.
While Real Madrid will be hoping to avenge the semifinal loss to the emerging European and English giants, City will hope to build on their gains in Europe but will do so without their key player Kyle Walker, at least in the first-leg of the match.
Walker, known for his strength and speed on the right-back, is set to miss the match.
Confirming his squad update ahead of Manchester City’s midweek Premier League clash with Aston Villa, Pep Guardiola revealed City’s medics have affirmed that Walker will not be fit for the Real Madrid match.
In a quote shared by Fabrizio Romano, the Spaniard, however, seemed to tease Kyle Walker’s possible return against the doctors’ report.
“The doctor said that Kyle Walker will not be ready to play against Real Madrid. It’s clear but Kyle is Kyle. He has special genetics.”
Walker picked up a hamstring issue in England friendly against Brazil during the just-concluded March international break.
He limped off the match in the first half and withdrew from the squad to return to Manchester City for treatment.
The former Tottenham defender was key to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City treble-winning squad and has played a crucial role as the team pushes for a second consecutive treble this season.
He will be hoping to recover and return to his game with the Premier League champions soon.
Elsewhere, Pep Guardiola also confirmed Manchester City will miss the treble of Ederson, John Stones, and Nathan Ake in the game against Aston Villa but is likely to have them return to the team before the Champions League match against Real Madrid.
