Real Madrid will walk out in Jeddah on Thursday without Kylian Mbappé. The club’s marquee forward has been ruled out of the Spanish Super Cup semifinal against Atlético Madrid due to a left knee sprain, an issue first picked up in early December and aggravated enough during an open training session on December 30 that the staff have decided to stop and reset. Mbappé will remain in Madrid to recover rather than travel to Saudi Arabia with the squad.

There is a glimmer of hope for Madridistas: if Real Madrid advance, a Sunday final remains a possibility for Mbappé, but only if his knee responds favorably in the coming days. For now, prudence wins over risk.

Mbappé’s knee sprain: what we know and why it matters

This is not a dramatic twist, but it is a decisive one. The sprain was flagged in early December. Mbappé pushed through discomfort to help the team across several matches. That gamble has now met a hard stop. The club’s medical team believes any rush back could turn a short setback into a long absence. In a season where the margins are razor-thin, that is a risk Real Madrid simply cannot take.

The decision is a sign of long-term thinking. Protecting the joint means protecting the season, and possibly the silverware chase across multiple fronts. A semifinal under the lights in Jeddah matters, but so do the weeks that follow.

“No trophy is worth a month on the sidelines — rest him and win the rest.”

Why Real Madrid are choosing caution now

Context counts. After the trip to Saudi Arabia, Real Madrid face seven matches in 20 days. That is a sprint, and even for elite athletes, it tests the limits. A sprain that is manageable today can become something worse tomorrow if not handled with care.

Madrid’s decision-makers have taken the longer view: lock in a steady recovery now to avoid losing Mbappé when the calendar is most brutal. This move signals trust in the depth pieces and a belief that the squad can carry the load for a few more days.

How Madrid can cope in Jeddah without their star

Losing Mbappé would normally tilt the balance, but Madrid arrive with reasons for belief. The team’s last outing was a 5-1 win over Real Betis without their No. 7, highlighted by a hat-trick from Gonzalo García. That performance was not just a scoreline; it was a message that the goals can come from different boots when the system clicks.

Expect Madrid to lean on speed in transition, quick combinations, and an aggressive press from the front. Without Mbappé’s gravity, the movement off the ball must be sharper. Finishing must be cleaner. The Betis game offered a blueprint: keep the tempo high, attack space, and share the scoring burden.

“Gonzalo García just earned his minutes. Let the kid cook again.”

The Atlético Madrid test: a fierce semifinal ahead

Atlético Madrid will not be shy about the opportunity. These rivals know each other well, and Atlético’s 5-2 win over Real Madrid back in September 2025 still lingers as a reminder of what can happen if the game tilts their way. In a neutral-site cup tie, first punches often decide the flow.

Madrid must match Atlético’s intensity from minute one, especially in duels and second balls. Without Mbappé’s threat, Madrid’s wide play and timing of runs into the box become even more important. The margins are narrow; the details will decide it.

Who’s in, who’s out: the full injury picture

Mbappé is not the only absentee. Madrid’s depth will be tested again on Thursday due to a string of notable missing pieces:

• Éder Militão — hamstring injury.
• Brahim Díaz — on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Morocco.
• Dani Carvajal — close to returning but not ready for Thursday’s semifinal.

These absences shape the rotation and the bench. It also means greater responsibility on the squad’s form players to keep standards high for 90 (or 120) intense minutes.

“If Madrid control the midfield, the goals will follow. Keep calm and pass forward.”

Mbappé’s message and the mood in the camp

Even from Madrid, Mbappé’s presence will be felt. He sent a message to his teammates: “Good luck, team! I trust you 1,000%. We’re going to succeed. Hala Madrid! Let’s go for the Supercopa!” That kind of voice carries weight in a tight dressing room.

Confidence is not a problem. The squad knows what’s at stake and has already shown it can score freely without him. The question is whether they can do it against an opponent built to frustrate and punish mistakes.

What Sunday could look like if Madrid advance

If Real Madrid book their place in the final, the conversation turns to risk versus reward all over again. Could Mbappé feature? The door is not closed. It depends entirely on how his knee responds in the next days. The club will only act if the medical staff are sure the sprain has settled and any minutes would be safe.

The goal is clear: lift a trophy in Jeddah without mortgaging the rest of the month. In that sense, Thursday’s plan without Mbappé is as important as any potential Sunday cameo.

Bottom line

Real Madrid must navigate a high-stakes semifinal without their biggest star. The choice to rest Kylian Mbappé is smart, measured, and geared toward the long run. They have recent form to lean on, a match-winner in Gonzalo García’s hat-trick to inspire belief, and a clear understanding of what it will take to beat Atlético in a cup tie.

Win Thursday, earn Sunday, and keep Mbappé trending in the right direction. That is the plan. Now it’s about execution under the lights in Jeddah.