Xabi Alonso addresses Mbappé’s absence in the Super Cup: ‘We pushed hard, but this match came too soon

Real Madrid kicks off 2026 with one of their primary annual objectives: the Spanish Super Cup. The "Merengues" are set to face Atlético Madrid in the semifinals this Thursday, January 8, battling for a spot in the final of the tournament currently being held in Saudi Arabia. For manager Xabi Alonso, this trophy is vital, especially as the capital side looks to bounce back from recent inconsistent results.

Ahead of the clash against the "Colchoneros," Alonso addressed the media regarding the notable absence of Kylian Mbappé, who is currently recovering from a knee sprain and did not travel to the Middle East with the squad.

Mbappé's Recovery Timeline

Alonso clarified the situation surrounding the French superstar, explaining that the medical staff's recovery window was simply too tight for him to participate in this stage of the tournament.

"Decisions are made, and we hope to have him back as soon as possible. We tried to push the timeline, but this match comes too early. What is in our minds right now is tomorrow's semifinal and winning so we can play the final on Sunday," Alonso stated.

Seeking Revenge for the 5-2 Derby Loss

The strategist also reflected on the last meeting between the two rivals in September, where Real Madrid suffered a heavy 5-2 defeat against Diego "Cholo" Simeone’s side.

"We want a different match than the one in the league, but we must not forget what we lacked that day; we are clear on that. We don’t want to commit the same errors and we want to perform at a higher level. I am convinced it will be different—the team will show another face and another level. You take positive lessons from every defeat, and there are things from that game we don't want to repeat. We have kept those lessons to ourselves."

The Vinícius Jr. Situation: Chelsea Rumors and Fan Pressure

Another focal point of the press conference was Vinícius Jr. The Brazilian winger was recently booed during the match against Betis, coinciding with reports that Chelsea is allegedly preparing a 160 million euro offer for the 26-year-old star. Despite the noise, Xabi Alonso stood firmly behind his player.

"There is a lot of the season left and many important games ahead. Vini Jr. is going to be vital. Tomorrow we need his best version—connected with the team and enjoying himself—because when he enjoys being on the pitch, he creates that chaos for the opponent. He is fundamental for us, and we have to find him. These are just moments, and we have to stay together."

Match Details

Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid will face off this Thursday, January 8, at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, competing for the second spot in the Spanish Super Cup final.