Real Madrid’s French superstar Kylian Mbappe has been ruled out of the Spanish Super Cup due to a knee injury, dealing a significant blow to the club ahead of their high-profile semifinal against Atletico Madrid in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

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Mbappe Sidelined With Knee Sprain

The 27-year-old forward, Real Madrid’s top goalscorer, was diagnosed with a knee sprain last week and is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks, ruling him out of the tournament. Head coach Xabi Alonso confirmed that the player would miss the clash but emphasized the team’s focus on recovery:

“We’re going to be pushing the deadlines; it’s very much a matter of feelings. When is as soon as possible? We hope for the Super Cup.”

Mbappe’s absence is a setback for Real Madrid, particularly in a high-stakes matchup against city rivals Atletico Madrid. Barcelona will face Athletic Bilbao in the other semifinal, setting up a potential showdown with Real in the final.

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Mbappe’s Record-Breaking Form

Despite his injury, Mbappe enjoyed a stellar 2025, netting 59 goals for Real Madrid, equalling Cristiano Ronaldo’s club record for goals in a calendar year. His prolific scoring has been pivotal for the Spanish giants, who are currently trailing La Liga champions Barcelona by four points.

In contrast, his strike partner Vinicius Junior has struggled this season, scoring only five goals across all competitions and failing to find the net since October, highlighting Mbappe’s importance to the squad.

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Real Madrid’s Super Cup Hopes

With Mbappe sidelined, Xabi Alonso’s team will need other players to step up for the Super Cup semifinal against Atletico Madrid. The tournament, hosted in Saudi Arabia, represents a critical opportunity for Real Madrid to claim early silverware in 2026 and build momentum in a challenging season.

Alonso emphasized the team’s determination to adapt despite the setback, signaling that squad depth and tactical adjustments will be key in Mbappe’s absence.