Mbappé will not play in Arabia. The knee doesn’t allow it. The miracle has been sought, but no. It was ‘impossible’. And, as AS has learned, It has been impossible. He was already ruled out for the semi-final, but the sprain he suffered in the joint of his left leg turns his entire Super Cup into a pipe dream. Conservative treatment is chosenwith the sole purpose of getting the area ready. May Kylian, when he is ready, be truly ready and not diminished. As it has been lately. You don’t want to take any risks. That’s why, Mbappé is left out. Both from the competition and the trip. Madrid will head to Jeddah at 3:00 p.m. without Mbappé.
For now, the club prefers to go step by step. Without thinking about a specific date as a goal. Without pause, but, above all, without hurry. The one who has sometimes been a bad advisor. Kylian’s was not just another injury. It was number 23. The match of change. The promoter of the return of Niko Mihic on the front line of fireFlorentino Pérez’s fully trusted doctor. To supervise, to ensure that diagnostics and recovery plans are optimal. AND the recipe for discomfort is clear: rest.
Why Mbappé has been suffering from the illness since December 7since the match against Celta. He didn’t play against City but then he forced. Too much, perhaps. And he played 270 minutes against Alavés, Talavera and Seville. Without being 100%. And that is something that internally we want to avoid. The slogan is clear: pamper the star so that he returns to his best version. And that pampering involves stopping.
In 20 days, seven games
Until now, Mbappé had only missed the match against City and Betisin a campaign that led him to say goodbye to 2025, sharing a record with his idol Cristiano (59 goals in a calendar year). But the counter will continue adding. At least, with Atleti. And if there is a final against Barça or Athletic there will be four. And on the horizon appear the round of 16 of the Cup (January 13), Levante (17-E), Monaco (20-E), Villarreal (24-E) and Benfica (28-E). All this in an overloaded first month of the year. With meetings every three days. With, potentially, seven games in 20 days. With Kylian or without Kylian, that is the question.
Golzalo
With this situation, the emergence of Gonzalo becomes even more important. Beyond the juggling I can do Xavi to try to make up for Kylian’s 29 goals, the boy with 159 goals has shown that he is ready for what comes. And what’s coming up, for now, is a super cup semi-final against Atleti. Betis already has the hat-trick ball at home… In the absence of Mbappé, Golzalo.
Fran González, David Jiménez and Thiago Pitarch
And three castilistas will accompany him: Fran González, David Jiménez and Thiago Pitarch. The giant from León exchanges roles with Sergio Mestre, who will be the starter for Castilla in his absence. While both the full-back and the midfielder remain. They started 2026 in first team dynamics and continue. David, as an alternative in the lane two. Thiago, to add lungs to the engine room… in search of that debut that eludes him.
Convocation
Goalkeepers: Courtois, Monday the González.
Defenses: Carvajal, Alaba, Trent, Asencio, Carreras, Fran García, Rüdiger, Mendy, Huijsen and David Jiménez.
Midfielders: Bellingham, Caminga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Güler, Ceballos and Thanago.
Fronts: Viniicus, Rodrygo, Gonzay and Mastan
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