JEDDAH: Real Madrid could unleash their biggest weapon in Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona, with coach Xabi Alonso saying they are considering taking a risk on Kylian Mbappe’s fitness after he missed the semifinal. Mbappe, who matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s club record of 59 goals in a calendar year during Real’s 2-0 LaLiga win over Sevilla last month, is nursing a knee injury.
The France forward, who has scored 12 goals in nine matches against Barcelona, flew to Saudi Arabia on Friday to join the squad ahead of the El Clasico showdown in Jeddah.
“He’s much better,” Alonso told reporters. “Against Atletico, he was just about ready, and we decided not to rush him, but we kept in mind that he might be able to play in the final.
“He flew yesterday and will train with the team today. We’ll assess him and decide whether he’ll start or play a little less. It’s a decision we’ll make with the player, the coaches and the doctors. The moment we’re in and what’s at stake ... It’s a controlled risk.”
Real beat Barcelona 2-1 at the Bernabeu in October after losing the Spanish Super Cup final and the Copa del Rey final to their arch-rivals last season.
“We’re focused on what we have to do and how to play the match,” Alonso said. “It will be a match with moments for everything. We have to have the necessary energy.”
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick described Mbappe as the best striker around.
“We’ll adapt a little, but so will Real Madrid,” the German said. “We have to play the way Barcelona always plays, with our style, which is different from Real Madrid’s.
Barcelona lead LaLiga with 49 points from 19 matches, four ahead of second-placed Real.
Flick confirmed Lamine Yamal was ready to start, having come on as a substitute in Barcelona’s 5-0 semifinal thrashing of Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.
Real Madrid weigh Mbappe gamble ahead of Spanish Super Cup final
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Real Madrid weigh Mbappe gamble ahead of Spanish Super Cup final
Paqueta moves to Flamengo after West Ham agree fee
- British media reported that West Ham have accepted an offer in excess of $49m
- “Paqueta is coming back. The good son returns home... A historic move,” the Brazilian side said
LONDON: West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta will return to his boyhood club Flamengo, both clubs confirmed on Wednesday.
Financial details were not disclosed but British media reported that West Ham have accepted an offer in excess of 41 million euros ($49 million) for the 28-year-old Brazil international.
Flamengo, last season’s Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A and Campeonato Carioca champions, confirmed the signing on social media.
“Paqueta is coming back. The good son returns home... A historic move. A milestone in the global football market, on a scale worthy of Flamengo,” the Brazilian side said in an Instagram video post.
“I am very happy to be back home. I would like to thank President Bap (Luiz Eduardo Baptista), Flamengo, our sponsors and, of course, the entire nation that made this possible,” Paqueta said in the video.
Paqueta was cleared of four spot-fixing charges by the English Football Association in July following a lengthy investigation. Paqueta, who was facing the risk of a lifetime ban, denied the charges.
“Lucas has made it clear that, for personal and family reasons, he wishes to return home to Brazil and make a fresh start after being cleared in July 2025 of FA misconduct charges that took two years to be resolved — a situation that caused him significant mental strain,” West Ham said in a statement.
“Despite the club doing everything possible to persuade Lucas to stay, he has remained adamant that his wish is to leave. Therefore, the head coach (Nuno Espirito Santo) and the club have reluctantly agreed to accept his transfer request.”
Paqueta joined West Ham from French side Olympique Lyonnais in 2022, having previously played for AC Milan. His contract with the Premier League club was due to run until 2027.
He made 139 appearances for West Ham, scoring 23 goals and providing 15 assists. He was also part of the squad that won the UEFA Conference League in the 2022-23 season.
“West Ham United would like to take this opportunity to thank our management, players, staff and loyal supporters for the unwavering and devoted support they have shown to Lucas throughout his time at the club and, in particular, over the past two and a half years,” the East London side added.
West Ham sit 18th in the league table with 20 points from 23 matches, five points adrift of the safety zone.
