Kylian Mbappe is on his way to Saudi Arabia and has chances of playing in Real Madrid's Supercopa de Espana final against Barcelona on Sunday (January 11th). The French forward missed last night's 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in the semi-final due to a knee sprain.
Xabi Alonso broke the best news possible shortly after the Madrid derby win, confirming that Mbappe was headed to the Middle East. His side have fared well in his absence also beating Real Betis 5-1 last weekend.
But Mbappe has been Alonso's talisman throughout the season, bagging 29 goals in 24 games across competitions. That includes the opener in a 2-1 win over Barca in La Liga earlier this season.
Alonso will have to decide whether the 27-year-old is able to start the Supercopa final. Here's how his starting lineup should look.
How Real Madrid's XI should look vs Barcelona
Goalkeeper and defense
There's no surprises with who starts in goal for Madrid as Thibaut Courtois put in one of a long list of excellent performances against Atleti. The Belgian continues to be one of the world's best goalkeepers and could be key in El Clasico on Sunday.
Federico Valverde was the star of the show last night, and the Uruguayan should continue at right-back. Dani Carvajal was on the bench but don't fix what's not broken.
Raul Asencio remains a reliable presence at the back and partnered with Antonio Rudiger in last night's derby. But the German only just made the game, fighting through the pain barrier and he's now doubtful for the final, per The Athletic's Guillermo Rai.
If Rudiger can't start or even play against Barca it will be a massive headache for Alonso. He could turn to Dean Huijsen although the Spaniard has been frustrating since arriving from Bournemouth.
It's probably better going with a more reliable central defensive partnership and moving Carreras centrally. Fran Garcia wasn't impressive against Atleti but if it's a choice between him or Huijsen coming into Alono's team it should be the left-back.
GK: Courtois; RB: Valverde, CB: Asencio, CB: Carreras, LB: Garcia
Midfield
Sticking with Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga should be Alonso's plan for El Clasico. Camavinga was key against Atleti, making 11 recoveries and finding his man with all five long ball attempts.
Some might feel Dani Ceballos should come into the XI but the more defensive minded French duo are better suited to deal with Barca's midfield. Jude Bellingham will start and can play in do so just ahead of Camavinga and Tchouameni.
Bellingham relishes facing the Catalans and scored the winner in the 2-1 win earlier this season. He could be crucial if Madrid are to win the Supercopa on Sunday.
CM: Camavinga, CM: Tchouameni, CM: Bellingham
Attack
This is where it gets interesting as there are so many decisions for Alonso to make. Guillermo Rai has also claimed that Rodrygo is a doubt for the final which is a huge setback after his goal which proved to be the winner against Atleti.
If Rodrygo isn't able to play then Alonso might turn to Arda Guler who has struggled to impress this season. But the big question is whether Mbappe starts and if he is fully fit then he should be leading the line.
Gonzalo Garcia has been filling in for Mbappe but might have to settle for a place on the bench. He could provide a special moment if the game is there to be won late on.
Mbappe could be up top with Guler on the right and Vinicius Junior on the left. Hopefully Rodrygo recovers in time for the final so that Alonso can go with his usual front three.
RW: Guler, ST: Mbappe, LW: Vinicius