Good news and bad news for Real Madrid » Who did Xabi Alonso recover for the semi-final with Atletico
Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published on Monday, 05 January 2026 20:14 / Updated on Monday, 05 January 2026 20:20
Real Madrid will not be able to count on the goalscorer Kylian Mbappe (27 years old) in the first match of the Spanish Super Cup. With a knee injury, the French striker Xabi Alonso will miss the second semi-final with Atletico Madrid on Thursday evening in Jeddah. Instead, the coach of the white team will have Dean Huijsen available.
After kicking off 2026 with a 5-1 win at the Bernabeu in the league against Betis Sevilla, Real Madrid are heading to Saudi Arabia for their first trophy of the season. The first obstacle on the way to the Spanish Supercup is Atletico, against whom they have to take revenge after the failure (2-5) in the derby in La Liga.
Kylian Mbappe, 29 goals this season at Real Madrid
In the first big game of the new year, Xabi Alonso will have to do without his best player this season. This morning it was found out that Kylian Mbappe cannot play against Diego Simeone's side in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup, duel scheduled for Thursday in Saudi Arabia (21:00, live on Digi Sport 1).
Kylian Mbappe watched the match against Manchester City from the bench / Photo: Imago
The French striker, who ended 2025 with 59 goals, equaling Cristiano Ronaldo's record as Real's top goalscorer in a calendar year – and who has 29 goals this season, he could not train because of knee pain.
“The terrible blow is, however, softened by the recital given by Gonzalo Garcia against Betis. The striker who grew up in the club's academy is expected to be the offensive reference for Real Madrid in the derby with Atletico,” writes the Spanish press.
Which states that Mbappe would have a chance to recover for the eventual final, against the winner of the match between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Huijsen has only played two matches in the last 7 matches!
Xabi Alonso also received good news. A Blanco starter has become available again and could be on the pitch with Atletico. Dean Huijsen did not train last Saturday and did not make the Madrid squad for the match against Betis.
102minutes played by Dean Huijsen in the last six weeks at Real Madrid: 12 with Alaves (2-1) and 90 with FC Sevilla (2-0), both in La Liga
The Spanish international blames an overuse on his right thighand the technical staff decided not to risk the defender who has missed five of Madrid's last seven games, but today he prepared.
“Muscular problems have been a problem for Huijsen, who started strong but then had an unexpected drop in form. The club have already given him a warning, although they have given him all their support in this regard.” announces Defensa Central.
