Xabi Alonso remains under scrutiny as the head coach of Real Madrid, with the start of the new year bringing no change to his situation. The upcoming Supercopa de España, set to take place in Saudi Arabia, is critical for his future with the club. His position is particularly precarious without star player Kylian Mbappé, who has played a vital role in the team’s attempts to enhance their performances. The Frenchman is currently sidelined due to a left knee injury that has raised more questions than answers regarding his fitness.
On December 9, prior to a match against Manchester City, observers noted Mbappé’s absence during the 15 minutes of Madrid’s training session that are open to the press. This absence came during a turbulent period for the team, which saw the club’s management opt to retain Alonso despite disappointment from president Florentino Pérez following a defeat. That same day, the club reported that Mbappé had suffered a broken finger along with muscular discomfort in his leg. If he were to play against City, it would have been with limited capacity, a significant blow for Alonso’s tactical plans.
Although Mbappé did not feature against Manchester City, he did return to the pitch four days later in a crucial match against Alavés, where he played the entire game and scored in a 2-1 win. He followed that up with another full 90-minute performance in the Copa del Rey against Talavera, netting twice and helping secure victory despite a tense finish. These performances brought him within one goal of equaling Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for the most goals scored in a calendar year, a milestone that Alonso recognized was important not only for the player’s career but also for his own job security.
On January 20, during a match against Sevilla, Mbappé achieved that milestone, scoring in a 2-0 win that allowed Alonso to retain his position leading up to the Supercopa. However, shortly thereafter, Mbappé opted to rest, having participated in the open training prior to New Year’s Eve without pushing himself too hard. The club confirmed that he is now dealing with a sprained left knee, which had also caused concerns weeks earlier. Some reports from French media outlets suggest potential ligament involvement, estimating he could be out for roughly three weeks.
The uncertainty surrounding Mbappé’s recovery has left the club in a difficult position, with insiders acknowledging that neither the player nor the medical staff can definitively predict when he will return to action. Xabi Alonso is trying to navigate this challenge carefully as he prepares for another week where his coaching future hangs in the balance. He has stated, “I’m the one making the decisions, and I own them,” emphasizing that the choice to push Mbappé in multiple games was ultimately his.
As Real Madrid approaches a decisive moment in their season, the hope remains that both Alonso’s leadership and Mbappé’s eventual return to full fitness will herald a turning point for the team, reaffirming their status as one of the giants of European football.