Photo by Mateo Villalba/Getty Images

Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappe Report Emerges Hours Before Barcelona Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Jan 11, 2026 9:44 AM ET

One of the biggest questions ahead of El Clásico today in the Spanish Super Cup Final is the participation of Kylian Mbappe.

The French star is the top goal scorer at Real Madrid so far this season, but was almost ruled out completely for the Spanish Super Cup matches.

Mbappe did not travel with the team ahead of the Spanish Super Cup semifinal match against Atletico Madrid earlier this week, as the player had suffered a sprained ligament. Mbappe was rumored to miss the semifinal and the final of the Spanish Super Cup.

After the Atletico Madrid match, Xabi Alonso revealed that Mbappe was better and that he would travel to Saudi Arabia for the game against Barcelona. Mbappe traveled just days before the match against and trained with the team.

Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid is training on January 10, 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Antonio Villalba/Real Madrid via Getty Images)

Despite training with the team, Mbappe getting minutes for Real Madrid against FC Barcelona is still in question.

Kylian Mbappe Update for Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona

According to Marca, Kylian Mbappe will not start the game for Real Madrid against FC Barcelona. Real Madrid are likely to start Gonzalo Garcia in the striker position.

L'Équipe reported that Mbappe does not want to take any risks, but Real Madrid really wants him to play against Barcelona. Many are wondering what Xabi Alonso will decide to do with Mbappe from the start.

Mbappe is likely to get minutes against Barcelona, even if the French star starts the match on the bench.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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