Big boost for Barcelona as Real Madrid top scorer ruled out of starting eleven; fit to play only 30 minutes

Barcelona have been handed a major boost heading into tonight’s Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid.

It appears Los Blancos will be unable to field their star player, Kylian Mbappe, in the starting eleven, as he is not fit enough to do so.

This is according to a recent report from French news outlet RMC Sport, which confirms Mbappe will start on the bench against Barcelona.

Mbappe fit to play only 30 minutes

This comes on the back of Real Madrid placing hopes on Mbappe to recover in time for the final, after having fielded Gonzalo Garcia in the number nine role against Atletico Madrid in the semifinal.

But as confirmed by RMC Sport, the Frenchman is only fit to play 30 minutes in the final, effectively leaving it upon Xabi Alonso on how to utilise the player.

Mbappe won’t start against Barcelona tonight. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

It must be noted that even if Mbappe does appear for 30 minutes at least, he is far from fully fit right now and won’t be at his level best.

This serves as a major boost for Barcelona, who had struggled to contain the former PSG superstar earlier this season.

The report adds that Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has no desire to risk the Frenchman, even though he trained with the team on the eve of the final.

Although Mbappe wanted to play against Barcelona tonight, Alonso didn’t budge and everything suggests Real Madrid will once again start with Gonzalo Garcia in the number nine slot.

Garcia will be accompanied by the Brazilian duo of Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr, who does have a knack for scoring in finals and is, in fact, chasing a record held by the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Ferenc Puskas.