Kylian Mbappe has been deemed not fit enough to start for Real Madrid in tonight’s El Clasico Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona.
Mbappe missed the semi-final showdown as Federico Valverde and Rodrygo stepped up in his absence with the goals to fire Real to a 2-1 victory in the Madrid derby.
The Frenchman was expected to miss the first two to three weeks of 2026 with a knee sprain, but head coach Xabi Alonso has revealed the striker has made a swift recovery and will hope to feature off the bench.
Rodrygo and Raul Asencio have been passed fit, but Antonio Rudiger’s knock against Aletico means he is only capable for a spot on the bench. Dean Huijsen returns in defence.
There is no room for Trent Alexander-Arnold after only just returning from a spell on the sidelines, but captain Dani Carvajal is fit again,
Holders Barcelona cruised into this evening’s final thanks to a 5-0 thrashing of Athletic Club on Wednesday night, with Raphinha scoring the pick of the goals with his first just before the break.
It was a slightly rotated Barcelona team for the semi-final as Roony Bardghji, Fermin Lopez and Ferran Torres were handed starts, while Robert Lewandowski was an unused substitute.
Lamine Yamal starts for Barcelona, after coming off the bench in midweek, but Marcus Rashford and Dani Olmo are named as substitutes.
Robert Lewandowski should lead the line instead of Ferran Torres.
Confirmed team news
Barcelona XI: Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Balde; De Jong, Pedri, Fermin; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal
Subs: Ter Stegen, Szczesny, Araujo, Ferran, Rashford, Casado, Gerard Martin, Roony, Olmo, Bernal, Tommy
Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Tchouameni, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr, Gonzalo
Subs: Lunin, Carvajal, Alaba, Mbappe, Guler, Ceballos, Fran Garcia, Rudiger, Mastantuono, Jimenez, Thiago
Time and date: 7pm GMT today, Sunday, January 11, 2026
How to watch: TNT Sports
Venue: King Abdullah Sports City Stadium
