Kylian Mbappé will not travel with the Real Madrid delegation to Arábia Saudita, where the club will compete in Supercopa of Espanha. The French striker was diagnosed with a sprain in his left knee after tests carried out at the end of December 2025, and the medical department opted for conservative treatment to avoid greater risks.
The injury occurred at a time of high game load for the player, who participated in almost every match of the season so far. Real Madrid faces Atlético from Madrid in the tournament semi-final, scheduled for Thursday, January 8, at 8pm local time on
The club released the list of related players this Tuesday, January 6, without the presence of Mbappé. The Frenchman’s absence represents a significant loss for the Merengue attack, especially in a direct confrontation against a historic rival.
- The tournament follows the format of Final Four, with semi-finals and a final in a single game.
- The other semi-final pits Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao, on January 7th.
- If they advance, Real Madrid would compete in the final on January 11th.
📋✅ Nossos called up for Supercopa from Espanha!pic.twitter.com/6t5lf5tX3S
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇧🇷🇵🇹 (@realmadridpt)January 6, 2026
Details of Mbappé’s injury
Image exams confirmed the sprain in Mbappé’s left knee on December 31, 2025. The player had already been feeling discomfort in the region since previous matches, but continued on the field to help the team.
Real Madrid did not establish an official recovery deadline, prioritizing the daily evolution of the situation. Especialistas indicate that sprains like this generally require rest and intensive physical therapy in the first few weeks.
Mbappé already missed the team in the 5-1 victory over Betis, for La Liga, the previous weekend. The decision not to force a return aims to preserve the athlete for later commitments in the tight schedule.
Impact on the Real Madrid attack
Without Mbappé, coach Xabi Alonso has options like Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo to lead the offensive sector. The Brazilians must form an attacking trio alongside another player, such as Endrick or Gonzalo García.
The Frenchman is the team’s top scorer this season, with decisive contributions in La Liga and Champions League. Sua absence opens up space for other athletes to demonstrate their ability in high-intensity games.
Vinícius Júnior, in particular, has shown regularity and can assume more responsibility in individual plays. Rodrygo also seeks consistency to compensate for the lack of an attacking partner.
Returns and options on defense
Positive news for Real Madrid is the return of defender Dean Huijsen to the list of related players. The player recovered from muscle discomfort that took him out of the match against Betis and trained normally in the last few days.
Huijsen offers alternatives to Xabi Alonso when setting up the defensive line. The squad travels complete in other sectors, with goalkeepers, midfielders and attackers available for the coach to select.
The club has other athletes recovering, but the inclusion of Huijsen reinforces the tactical options. The Merengue defense will need solidity against the organized attack of Atlético and Madrid.
Tournament context at Arábia Saudita
Supercopa of Espanha adopts the expanded format since recent editions, bringing together the finalists of Copa, The event takes place in Jeddah by agreement with local authorities, who promote Spanish football internationally.
Real Madrid seeks to win the title to start 2026 with a trophy. The confrontation against Atlético represents a Madrid derby with high rivalry, even on neutral territory.
The semi-final promises balance, with both teams presenting competitive squads. The winner advances to the final against Barcelona or Athletic Bilbao.
Merengue team preparation
Xabi Alonso has conducted training focused on defensive compaction and quick transitions in recent days. The absence of Mbappé requires tactical adjustments, but the coach is confident in the depth of the squad.
Related players embarked on Arábia Saudita focused on the immediate objective. The trip includes a period of acclimatization to the time zone and local conditions.
Real Madrid has accumulated recent titles in similar competitions and aims to maintain hegemony. The match against Atlético serves as an important test for the remainder of the season.
Mbappé’s recent history at the club
Mbappé arrived at Real Madrid with high expectations and responded with goals in national and European competitions. The striker equaled historic marks in the previous calendar, demonstrating quick adaptation to the team’s style.
Despite his current injury, the Frenchman played the majority of available minutes this season. Sua overload reflects the team’s dependence on its talent for imbalances.
The medical department closely monitors recovery for a safe return. Mbappé continues treatment on Madrid while the team competes in the tournament.
Expectations for the semi-final
The Madrid derby at Supercopa attracts global attention due to its history of intense clashes. Ambas the teams arrive motivated after the end-of-year break.
Xabi Alonso must prioritize midfield control and exploration of the wings. The available attackers need efficiency to overcome the colchonera defense.
The match takes place at King Abdullah Sports City, with capacity for large audiences. Torcedores on both sides are closely following the development of the tournament.
Real Madrid comes in as one of the favorites, but the absence of Mbappé balances the forces. The result will define the path to a possible high-level final.
