Ethan Mbappe to miss chance to face brother Kylian in Champions ...

There will be no Champions League reunion for the Mbappe brothers on Wednesday night after Lille midfielder Ethan Mbappe was ruled out for “several weeks” through injury.

Ethan Mbappe, 17, joined Lille in the summer from Paris Saint-Germain at the same time as his older brother, Kylian Mbappe, left the club on a free transfer for Real Madrid.

By a twist of fate, Lille were drawn against Real Madrid in the new Champions League format, with the match taking place on Wednesday night.

However, a muscle injury suffered during Lille’s 3-0 win over Le Havre on Saturday has ended hopes of Ethan taking to the field against Kylian, who himself is an injury doubt for the fixture although he has been included in the matchday squad for the game.

“I injured myself during the match and I’m going to be absent for several weeks,” Ethan Mbappe wrote on Instagram. “It’s a difficult moment for me because it is the first time this has happened since I started playing football.

“But sadness passes and I am determined to return stronger. With the support of my family, my teammates and all the medical staff, I am going to put all my energy into my rehabilitation to return at a better level.

“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.”

Like Kylian, Ethan Mbappe began his career at AS Bondy before joining PSG’s academy in 2017.

A more reserved midfielder compared to his attack-minded brother, he featured regularly for PSG’s under-19s and started training with the senior players at the end of the 2022-23 season. He then joined the club on their pre-season tour of South Korea and Japan while Kylian was sidelined amid a dispute over his contract.

Ethan made his debut for the club last season under Luis Enrique, aged 16, stepping off the bench during a 3-1 win over Metz in December. He went on to make five appearances for the club before departing when his contract expired at the end of the season.

Signed by Lille in July, Mbappe Jnr has made four appearances in all competitions, although a leg injury ruled him out of three games, including a return to the Parc des Princes, in September.

(Matthieu Mirville/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

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Peter Rutzler is a football writer covering Paris Saint-Germain and Fulham for The Athletic. Previously, he covered AFC Bournemouth. He joined The Athletic in August 2019. Follow Peter on Twitter @peterrutzler