Real Madrid approaches the Supercopa final against Barcelona with careful calculations. Kylian Mbappé, the team’s leading attacker, is recovering from a knee injury that kept him out of Madrid’s early 2026 matches. His availability in Jeddah remains uncertain, with coach Xabi Alonso and the medical staff monitoring every development closely.
Racing against time
Mbappé traveled to Saudi Arabia after continuing his rehabilitation in Madrid. Missing the semi-final derby against Atletico Madrid highlighted Real’s cautious approach. Yet, his presence in the final could significantly influence the game, considering previous Clásico outcomes and the stakes at play.
The key to the situation lies in the training sessions leading up to the final. Alonso and his staff are using every moment to evaluate the player’s physical readiness, determining whether Mbappé can start or contribute for limited minutes. Such decisions carry risks but also the potential to leverage one of the world’s best forwards at a decisive moment.
Defensive challenges and team responsibility
Alongside Mbappé’s uncertain status, Real’s defense faces instability. Injuries to Antonio Rüdiger and Raúl Asencio forced improvisation during the semi-final. While the situation is improving, Alonso emphasizes that players must put in extra effort to maintain solidity.
This is a detail that could change everything—both tactics and game tempo. Vinícius Júnior is also going through a rough patch, having gone 16 matches without scoring. Training sessions now focus on restoring confidence and attacking sharpness, showing the importance of intelligent player management and team support.
Decisions that may change the game
The Supercopa final may be decided by the smallest margins. Whether Mbappé is ready and how many minutes he can play, as well as how the defense withstands Barcelona’s attack, remain open questions. Every move in Jeddah could determine who claims the first trophy of the season.
