Kylian Mbappe has arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the Spanish Super Cup final. Mbappe made a brief post on the social media platform X, greeting fans with a “Salam Alaikoum” as Madrid landed in Jeddah for the Spanish Super Cup final, scheduled for 12th January at King Abdullah Sports City. While the French forward has been nursing a knee injury for several weeks, his presence in Saudi Arabia has fuelled speculation that he could still play a role in the final.
The football fans are excited with Mbappe’s arrival as millions revelled in welcoming him for the El Clásico final and requested him to play the match. The Real Madrid forward’s fitness has been a major issue as the forward has been sidelined since late December after suffering a ligament sprain in his left knee, an injury confirmed by the club on the final day of 2025.
He subsequently missed Madrid’s recent competitive fixtures, including the semi-final against Atletico, as he followed a carefully managed recovery programme in the Spanish capital.
However, Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso struck an optimistic note after the derby win, revealing that Mbappe has trained and is responding well. Alonso suggested that the forward will be assessed like any other squad member ahead of the final, leaving the door open for a potential return on the biggest stage.
“He is much better, he has trained, and the sensations are good. The options for him to play are the same as everyone else who is available,” Xabi said.
In Mbappe’s absence against Atletico, Madrid found inspiration elsewhere. Federico Valverde delivered the decisive moment, unleashing a thunderous strike just two minutes into the match to break the deadlock. His energy, intensity and all-round influence proved vital in a contest decided by narrow margins, earning high praise from Alonso afterwards.
Whether Mbappe features or not, his arrival has already added an extra layer of intrigue to the Super Cup final. With silverware at stake and El Clásico bragging rights on the line, all eyes will now be on Madrid’s final team call, and on whether their star forward is ready to make his return.
