Real Madrid Reveals Kylian Mbappe's Spanish Super Cup Final Status in Major Update
Kylian Mbappé will start from the substitutes' bench in the Spanish Super Cup final, meaning Real Madrid must face Barcelona on Sunday evening without their top scorer in the starting eleven.
Although he traveled to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Friday and participated in team training sessions before the crucial Clásico encounter, Mbappé has been relegated to a substitute position at Alinma Bank Stadium, with Gonzalo García earning his third straight start in the forward's absence.
The French star was always questionable for the final's starting lineup after picking up a knee problem on New Year's Eve. Mbappé missed Los Blancos' commanding 5–1 triumph over Real Betis and wasn't included in Xabi Alonso's initial Spanish Super Cup roster.
Remaining in Madrid, the 27-year-old was forced to observe from afar as his teammates secured a 2–1 semifinal victory against Atlético Madrid on Thursday evening. Alonso then surprised everyone by revealing that Mbappé would be traveling to rejoin the squad following their semifinal success.
Nevertheless, Real Madrid must once more manage without their star striker, at least from the opening kickoff against Barcelona. Mbappé remains available among the bench options should Alonso require an impact player during the match.
The French international tops the squad with 29 strikes in all competitions this campaign. Mbappé has managed to score in all but six of his 24 outings in the 2025–26 season.
Matching Mbappé's offensive output presents an insurmountable challenge for the 15-time European titleholders, but they will rely on Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham to deliver sufficient attacking threat against Hansi Flick's side to secure the Spanish Super Cup trophy.
Real Madrid Starting Lineup vs. Barcelona
Real Madrid starting XI (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Güler; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior; Gonzalo.
Substitutes: Andriy Lunin (GK), Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Antonio Rüdiger, David Jiménez, Fran García, Thiago Pitarch, Dani Ceballos, Arda Güler, Franco Mastantuono, Kylian Mbappé.