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Kylian Mbappe is not expected to be available for Real Madrid’s Spanish Super Cup semi-final on Thursday against Atletico Madrid in Jeddah.
Madrid reported on December 31 that Mbappe had sprained his left knee, with club sources telling The Athletic that the Frenchman had been carrying discomfort in the area for several weeks.
The length of his absence was undetermined, although it was clear from the outset that Mbappe would miss the first game of the year, against Betis on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu. The striker watched Xabi Alonso’s side win from one of the stadium’s VIP boxes and the cameras captured him celebrating his team’s goals.
Academy product Gonzalo Garcia’s hat-trick led Madrid to the win, with Barcelona still four points ahead in the standings.
Multiple sources have told The Athletic that Mbappe is not expected to make it for the semi-final and that it is still unclear whether he will be available to play in a possible final against Barcelona or Athletic Club on Sunday.
Mbappe’s absence would be a major blow for Alonso and Madrid, given the Frenchman has been the most decisive player in attack this season. Mbappe has scored 29 goals and provided five assists since August.
Mbappe’s injury is one of the key factors as to why Real Madrid, deeply concerned about their squad’s fitness issues, have decided to bring back Dr Niko Mihic to day-to-day operations at Valdebebas. The prominence of his role had been reduced at the end of 2023.
The Croatian, who had remained linked to the club in the interim, and especially to president Florentino Perez, has become head of health and performance and was present at Madrid’s training ground on Saturday.
