Will Kylian Mbappé play vs. Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final?

“Kylian will travel to Saudi Arabia tomorrow.” That simple sentence from Xabi Alonso stopped the room cold.

The Real Madrid coach delivered the update after the win over Atletico Madrid, responding directly to questions about Kylian Mbappé’s status. The French forward did not travel earlier with the rest of the squad to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but he will now join them ahead of Sunday’s final against Barcelona.

The bigger question remains unanswered: Will he play?

Will Mbappé play against Barça?

“How will he arrive?” Alonso was asked.“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,” the coach said.

Madrid chose not to rush Mbappé earlier in the week, keeping him back at Valdebebas to avoid unnecessary risk and focus on recovery. Whether he sees minutes in the final is still unclear. What is certain is that he will be there.

Inside the club, there has been quiet optimism in recent hours. Still, caution is the priority. Mbappé has been dealing with a knee sprain since Dec. 7, picked up against Celta Vigo. Despite not being fully fit, he logged 270 minutes across matches against Alaves, Talavera and Sevilla. On New Year’s Day, he finally stopped to give the joint a break, with rest prescribed as the only treatment.

The magnitude of Sunday’s game, a final against Barcelona, has only intensified the debate.

Madrid injury concerns: Rüdiger, Asencio, Rodrygo

Mbappé is not the only concern for Real Madrid.

Antonio Rüdiger forced the issue to start against Atletico Madrid, pushing through knee discomfort. He lasted just over an hour before his body gave out. According to club sources, his availability for the Super Cup is now considered “improbable,” making his presence in the final highly unlikely.

There is slightly more optimism around Raúl Asencio and Rodrygo. Both finished the semifinal with minor issues, but medical evaluations will determine their status. Final decisions are expected Friday morning after further tests.

For now, there are more questions than answers.

Real Madrid’s packed calendar

Before this latest setback, Mbappé had missed only two games all season, against Manchester City and Real Betis. His absence against Atletico was the third, in a year that saw him close out 2025 tied with his idol Cristiano Ronaldo for most goals in a calendar year with 59.

Sunday’s final remains a mystery for him. Beyond that, the schedule offers little relief. Real Madrid face a brutal stretch that includes the Copa del Rey round of 16 on Jan. 13, followed by Levante on Jan. 17, Monaco on Jan. 20, Villarreal on Jan. 24 and Benfica on Jan. 28.

That is potentially seven games in 20 days, with matches every three days.

That is the calendar facing Real Madrid. The open question is how many of those games will include Mbappé.