Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé missed Sunday’s La Liga game against Real Betis but could be pressed back into action for the Atlético Super Cup derby.
Published January 3, 2026
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé will miss Sunday’s La Liga home game against Real Betis due to a knee injury, but is aiming to be available for next week’s Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Atletico Madrid, coach Xabi Alonso said.
The 27-year-old France captain, who equaled Cristiano Ronaldo’s club record with Real’s club record of 59 goals in a calendar year, sprained his left knee in the La Liga match against Sevilla on December 20.
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The initial assumption was that such an injury would require him to be sidelined for at least three weeks.
“There is no doubt that Kylian will be gone,” Alonso told reporters on Saturday. “We have to have a lot of faith in the players who will be playing tomorrow.
“Now, let’s wait and see. We’ll have to see how things develop. And we’ll do everything we can to get him back as soon as possible.”
“We’re going to push back the deadline. It’s very much a matter of feeling. When is the earliest possible time? That’s the question. I don’t know. Super Cup? We want that.”
Alonso’s team had a five-point lead at the top of the table before their form deteriorated in November. They drew three consecutive league games, but suffered a shocking home defeat to Celta Vigo in December, allowing defending champions Barcelona to move four points clear in the title race.
Real’s decline in form coincided with forward Vinicius Junior’s goalless record. The 25-year-old Brazilian winger, who scored 22 goals last season, has scored just five times in all competitions this season and hasn’t found the back of the net since October.
Asked how Vinicius was doing after being booed by some fans during his last match against Sevilla at the Bernabéu, Alonso said: “Vini looks good to me, cheerful and smiling. This holiday has been good for all of us to recharge our batteries.”
“Tomorrow we have to give in order to receive, to spread the enthusiasm and rhythm we need. If it flows both ways, we can have fun.”
