Mbappé Out: Barça Clash Blow

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It is now a certainty which darkens the horizon of Real Madrid: Kylian Mbappé will not play in the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup against Atlético Madrid this Thursday. Hit in the left knee during the match against Celta, the French striker is confirmed to have withdrawn from the derby, according to the Spanish press. But beyond this first deadline, the concern is broader: its presence in the final, Sunday, also appears very compromised according to COPE. A final which could well pit Real against Barça, potential qualifier against Athletic Bilbao in the other semi-final.

Diagnosed on New Year’s Eve with a knee sprain, Mbappé had already been suffering from pain for several weeks. An embarrassment which notably deprived him of the clash against Manchester City in December. After a flamboyant end to the year – marked by a series of goals and the equalization of Cristiano Ronaldo’s record with 59 goals in a calendar year – the winter break finally got the better of his knee. Since the resumption, the Frenchman has been training away from home, mainly indoors, with no prospect of a quick return to competition.

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Xabi Alonso, cautious for several days, has never shown great optimism about the presence of his star in Jeddah. If he officially remains evasive, internally, Real knows that forcing an express return would be risky. Result: even in the event of qualification for the final, Mbappé could remain on the sidelines, depriving Madrid of its main offensive asset for a possible decisive Clasico.

With 29 goals this season, Mbappé is Real’s strong man. His absence would weigh heavily against Barça, in a match where every detail counts. Already deprived of Militao, Trent and Brahim, Xabi Alonso will have to rebuild without his jewel. Major bad news for the Merengues, as they aim for a 14th Spanish Super Cup.