Real Madrid's squad list for the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah, and Mbappe is absent
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso announced the official squad that traveled to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to participate in the Spanish Super Cup. The Red Sea city of Jeddah will host the highly anticipated tournament from January 7th to 11th, amidst great anticipation from fans worldwide.
The French star's absence is a significant blow
The absence of French star Kylian Mbappé from the Real Madrid squad came as a shock to fans, as he was excluded from the list due to a sprained left knee, according to the club's medical report. This absence presents a tactical challenge for coach Alonso, who will have to rely on alternative attacking solutions to compensate for the formidable attacking threat Mbappé represents, especially in crucial knockout matches.
The Spanish Super Cup in the Kingdom: A global sporting partnership
Saudi Arabia's hosting of the Spanish Super Cup is a continuation of its successful strategic partnership with the Spanish Football Federation, which began with the tournament's format change in 2020, transforming it from a single match to a four-team "Final Four." Previous editions held in the Kingdom have proven to be a resounding success in terms of organization and fan attendance, with Saudi stadiums, most notably King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (The Shining Jewel) in Jeddah, providing an electrifying atmosphere befitting the stature of Spanish football classics.
Anticipated firefights
The competition kicks off tomorrow, Wednesday, with a highly anticipated clash between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao in the first semi-final. Meanwhile, football fans eagerly await Thursday's thrilling Madrid derby, as Real Madrid faces its fierce rival, Atlético Madrid, in the second semi-final. Los Blancos will be looking to overcome the Rojiblancos and reach the final, scheduled for next Sunday, aiming to secure their first title of the season and boost team morale.
Real Madrid's squad list
Xabi Alonso's choices included a mix of experience and youth, and the list was as follows:
- Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin, Fran Gonzalez.
- Defense: Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Alexander Arnold, Raul Asensio, Carreras, Fran Garcia, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, Dean Hoesen, David Jimenez.
- Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouaméni, Arda Güler, Dani Ceballos, Thiago.
- Forwards: Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, Gonzalo Garcia, Mastantono.
Attention is now turning to how Alonso will utilize these names, especially the new arrivals and youngsters, to compensate for the absences and achieve the title on Saudi soil.
