Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has acknowledged the absence of injured striker Kylian Mbappe and emphasized the need for himself, along with Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, and Gonzalo Garcia, to step up in the upcoming Supercopa de Espana matches. Mbappe, who has been in outstanding form this season with 29 goals and five assists in 24 games, won’t be available for the crucial fixtures due to a knee injury.
In Mbappe’s absence, young striker Garcia showcased his potential by netting a hat-trick in Real Madrid’s recent 5-1 victory over Real Betis, with Rodrygo providing two assists. Bellingham highlighted the importance of not just scoring goals but also contributing with all-round play to fill the void left by Mbappe.
The upcoming Supercopa Espana semi-final against Atletico Madrid and a potential final against Barcelona will be challenging without Mbappe’s influence. Bellingham, Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Garcia will need to rise to the occasion and create scoring opportunities for the team.
Bellingham, 22, has had a solid start to the season with five goals and four assists in 21 games. Vinicius, 25, has also been productive with five goals and eight assists in 25 appearances, while Rodrygo has contributed two goals and six assists in 22 games, with five goal involvements in the last three La Liga matches. Garcia, on the other hand, scored his only three goals of the season in the recent Betis game.
In addition to Mbappe, Real Madrid will also miss right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is sidelined with an injury. Militao is out of action until March, while several youth players and Brahim Diaz, who is on AFCON duty with Morocco, are unavailable for selection.
Real Madrid will be looking to avenge their defeat in last season’s Supercopa final against Barcelona and claim silverware this time around. With key players missing, Bellingham and his teammates will need to step up and deliver strong performances to secure success in the tournament.
The challenges posed by injuries and absences will test Real Madrid’s depth and resilience, but the team is determined to overcome these obstacles and compete at the highest level. The Supercopa de Espana matches promise to be exciting and intense, with Bellingham and his fellow players ready to make their mark in Mbappe’s absence.
