Mbappé Boost for Real Madrid Ahead of Spanish Super Cup Final vs Barcelona

Mbappé Boost for Real Madrid Ahead of Spanish Super Cup Final vs Barcelona

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Kylian Mbappé is on his way to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to join the squad ahead of the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona, raising hopes of a late return for the club’s leading scorer.

The France international has been sidelined since the start of the year after suffering a sprain to his left knee on the final day of 2025, an injury that also ruled him out alongside Éder Militão. Mbappé missed Real Madrid’s 5–1 La Liga win over Real Betis and was absent from the squad that defeated Atlético Madrid 2–1 in the Super Cup semi-final.

However, speaking ahead of the final, Alonso revealed that Mbappé is “a lot better” and “feeling good,” prompting the decision for the forward to travel with the team just days before the eagerly anticipated El Clasico at the Alinma Bank Stadium.

While the Real Madrid boss stopped short of confirming Mbappé’s involvement, he admitted the star forward has a chance of featuring in the final.

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Real Madrid have coped in Mbappé’s absence, with Gonzalo García leading the attack effectively, but the Frenchman’s return could be decisive. Mbappé has scored five goals in his last three matches against Barcelona, underlining his importance in big games.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois stressed the importance of victory, noting that anything short of lifting the trophy would be a disappointment.

“We have to win. Last year we lost two finals against them and we want revenge,” Courtois told Realmadrid TV, referencing defeats in the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey finals. “It will be a great game between two teams who want to win.”

In the opposing camp, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick is expected to restore teenage sensation Lamine Yamal to the starting line-up after the winger featured from the bench in the semi-final win over Athletic Bilbao due to a minor fitness issue.

Yamal is likely to replace Roony Bardghji, who scored in the semi-final, while Barcelona could otherwise remain unchanged. The La Liga leaders will still be without Gavi, Marc-André ter Stegen, and Andreas Christensen due to injury.

With both giants desperate for silverware, the Spanish Super Cup final promises another high-stakes chapter in the enduring Real Madrid vs Barcelona rivalry.

Mbappé Boost for Real Madrid Ahead of Spanish Super Cup Final vs Barcelona