Kylian Mbappe’s injury could prove to be Real Madrid’s downfall in the Spanish Super Cup

Only Barcelona have lifted the Spanish Super Cup on more occasions than Real Madrid’s 13 – and Kylian Mbappe’s injury could have a huge say in where it goes next.

If Xabi Alonso’s side win this season’s competition, it will close the gap to only one overall success between the long-term footballing adversaries. However, they will have to do it against arch-nemesis Atlético Madrid and without star-striker Mbappe.

Kylian Mbappe: Striker’s injury could prove to be Real’s downfall

Most recent winners of the competition in 2024, down to Vinícius Júnior’s first-half hat-trick, the Brazilian baller is primed again to be one of Real’s main men. The winger will certainly need to be at the top of his world-class game with Mbappe ruled out of the match with a knee injury.

The absence of Mbappe could easily turn out to be the decisive factor on Thursday, considering the fully-fledged French international is LaLiga’s leading marksman this season with 18 goals.

Highlighting the forward’s achievements so far in 2025/26, he has found the back of the net 29 times in LaLiga, the 2025/26 Champions League phase and Copa del Rey across only 24 appearances.

Pre-match questions have surrounded whether Kylian Mbappe will play in the Spanish Super Cup or not. However, the latest injury news ahead of the mouthwatering clash in Saudi Arabia is that the Frenchman will now miss match.

Mbappe’s loss is Gonzalo García’s gain

García didn’t need any time at all to step into the massive gap left by Mbappe as he took home the match-ball after netting a hat-trick against Betis on Sunday.

The sought-after Spaniard had been linked with a move away from the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in the January transfer window in recent weeks. However, it now seems unlikely he will be going anywhere despite reported interest from Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund, and Juventus et al.

Fourteen appearances in the top-flight of Spanish football and three 2025/26 Champions League phase cameos have potentially put García in good standing to fill the void left by an injury-stricken Mbappe.

Real’s revenge could be on the menu in Saudi Arabia

Real will be looking to avenge last year’s final defeat to Barcelona after comprehensively being swept aside 5-2 by the Blaugrana, who were 5-1 up at one point, that day.

As mentioned, there is every chance we might be in for a repeat of that final at the same venue, King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, on Sunday.

If Thursday’s outcome isn’t decided by either the boot of Vinícius or García, it could be the recent head-to-head record that determines who progresses to the final. Atlético Madrid won the last encounter, most recently putting on a five-star display to brush aside Real’s advances in LaLiga in September.

Julián Alvarez bagged a brace on that day, and you can bet the FIFA World Cup and Champions League winner will be determined to showcase a repeat of 2025. 11 goals and five assists across all competitions this season for Atlético make it possible for the in-form striker to get his name back on the scoresheet once again.

If Thursday’s match comes down to extra time and penalties, like in March’s head-to-head when Madrid knocked Atlético out of the 2024/25 Champions League campaign. Could we possibly see the same outcome occur at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah?