Real Madrid will have their star man on the plane after all. Kylian Mbappé, who missed the Spanish Super Cup semifinal with a left knee sprain, has completed his recovery and will travel to Saudi Arabia for Sunday’s final against FC Barcelona. It’s the lift Los Blancos wanted, and it lands right on time for the season’s first trophy game.

Madrid advanced with a 2-1 win over Atlético Madrid, while Barcelona overwhelmed Athletic Club 5-1 to set up a Clásico final. Head coach Xabi Alonso kept the message simple: Mbappé is ready to rejoin the group. “Mbappé is traveling tomorrow, and the match will be different,” he said.

The club has handled this carefully. Mbappé was not rushed for the semifinal, staying in Madrid to work with the medical staff. Now, with training sessions going well and the player feeling “much better,” Madrid will take him to Jeddah. The expectation inside Valdebebas is one of quiet optimism and clear caution.

Mbappé injury update: timeline, rest, and the call to wait

Mbappé sprained his left knee on December 7, 2025, against Celta Vigo. Even with the knock, he pushed through three games over the holidays, logging 270 minutes across Alavés, Talavera, and Sevilla. On New Year’s Day, the club hit pause: rest only. No risks, no rush.

In the last week, that plan paid off. Alonso explained the current state clearly: “He’s much better. He has trained, and the feelings are good. His chances of playing are the same as everyone else who is available.” In other words, he’s back in the mix, but the minutes will be managed.

“If Mbappé plays even 30 minutes, that could flip the final.”

Xabi Alonso’s tone: cautious confidence before the Clásico

Alonso’s three short messages tell the story: the player is traveling; training has felt positive; and selection odds are equal with the rest of the healthy squad. The phrasing matters. It sets a calm, professional tone and keeps Barcelona guessing on the starting XI.

Madrid’s internal stance mirrors that tone. There is belief that Mbappé can help, but also a firm line: health first. Expect the staff to judge his role based on how he feels after the final training session in Saudi Arabia.

Why Mbappé’s presence changes Real Madrid vs Barcelona

Even half-fit, Mbappé changes games. He leads Real Madrid this season with 29 goals across all competitions. His speed stretches lines, his movement makes space, and his finishing needs only a moment. Barcelona know this very well.

For Madrid, the ripple effect matters. When Mbappé plays, Vinícius Júnior can attack 1v1 more often, and Jude Bellingham can arrive later into the box. Both have five goals this season. Those numbers can climb fast when defenses are forced to track Mbappé’s runs in behind.

“Barça’s back line hates one thing: pace in behind. Mbappé is pace in bold.”

Spanish Super Cup semifinal results and recent form

Madrid got here by edging Atlético 2-1, a tight game shaped by control in key moments. Barcelona arrived with a statement win, routing Athletic Club 5-1. This is a classic final: Madrid’s balance and patience against Barcelona’s sharp attacking spells.

Madrid’s league form coming in also helps the mood: a 5-1 win at Real Betis in early January showed an attack spreading goals around, not just relying on Mbappé.

Real Madrid injury report: Rüdiger, Rodrygo, and more

Madrid’s squad list is not just about Mbappé. There are several moving parts for Alonso to weigh before kickoff:

• Antonio Rüdiger: Knee discomfort after pushing through vs Atlético; his presence is considered improbable.
• Raúl Asencio and Rodrygo: Minor issues picked up in the semifinal; medical evaluations are underway with final calls due Friday morning.
• Trent Alexander-Arnold: Traveling with the group to continue recovery; not expected back until February.
• Éder Militão: Still sidelined until March.
• Brahim Díaz: Away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Morocco.

If Rüdiger cannot go, Madrid lose a physical leader at the back. That would increase the pressure on the back line to keep distances tight, especially against Barcelona’s runners and late midfield arrivals.

“No Rüdiger? Then set pieces become the real stress test.”

What to watch in the Spanish Super Cup final

Mbappé’s minutes: Expect a flexible plan. If he starts, Madrid could look to strike early and manage later. If he comes on, he’s the game-changer against tired legs.

Front-line balance: With Vinícius and Mbappé together, the wide overloads become dangerous. Bellingham’s late runs will be key if Barcelona drop deep.

Defensive reshuffle: Without Rüdiger, Madrid must be precise on crosses and corners. Clear roles for the back line and holding midfielder are vital.

Barcelona’s response: After a 5-1 semifinal, they’ll want to control tempo and force Madrid into longer phases without the ball. Transition defense will define their night.

Schedule pressure: what comes next for Real Madrid

Win or lose, Madrid’s calendar does not ease up after Saudi Arabia. The staff will protect legs and rotate where possible. Here is the run ahead:

• Spanish Super Cup Final vs Barcelona: Sunday, January 11
• Copa del Rey Round of 16 vs Albacete: Wednesday, January 14
• La Liga vs Levante: Saturday, January 17
• UEFA Champions League vs AS Monaco: Tuesday, January 20
• La Liga vs Villarreal: Friday, January 24
• UEFA Champions League vs Benfica: Wednesday, January 28

This is why the club chose caution with Mbappé. A January final matters, but so does the stretch to come. A fresh Mbappé across three fronts could define Madrid’s season.

Big picture: Madrid’s measured bet

Real Madrid have made a smart, simple bet: bring Mbappé because he is ready to help, but let the game script decide how much. Alonso’s language matches that logic. The trophy is within reach, yet the season’s bigger goals remain in focus.

Clásico finals have a habit of turning on one moment. With Mbappé back in the traveling squad and feeling “much better,” Madrid will hope that moment falls their way.