Overview
- Xabi Alonso confirmed Kylian Mbappé will miss Sunday’s LaLiga match against Real Betis with a left‑knee sprain and said he does not know when the forward will return.
- Medical reports cited in coverage indicate ligament involvement with an initial two‑to‑three‑week outlook, though Madrid are assessing his availability for the Spanish Super Cup daily with no guarantees.
- Reports say Mbappé played roughly 270 minutes over recent games while managing the knee issue, and even if cleared in Jeddah he would not be at full fitness.
- Center‑back Dean Huijsen has been ruled out of the Betis game with a muscle overload and is uncertain for the Super Cup, likely pushing Antonio Rüdiger and Raúl Asencio into starting roles.
- Madrid’s attacking cover is thinned by Endrick’s loan to Lyon and Brahim Díaz’s AFCON duty, increasing reliance on Gonzalo García and on contributors such as Rodrygo, Vinícius Jr. and Jude Bellingham while they trail Barcelona by four points.