Xabi Alonso addressed the media at King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah, where he previewed Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona (8:00 PM Spanish time, 10:00 PM local time).

Asked about Kylian Mbappé, who rejoined the squad in Jeddah after missing the semifinal against Atlético Madrid due to knee discomfort, the coach offered a cautious update.

“He’s much better. Against Atlético, he was only just fit and we chose not to rush him. We always kept in mind that he could return if we reached the final, depending on how he felt. He traveled yesterday and will train with the team today. We’ll assess him together and then decide whether he starts or plays a more limited role.”

Alonso stressed that the decision will be collective. “It’s something we’ll decide with the player, the coaching staff, and the doctors. We always have to balance the risks. We need to understand the situation, what’s at stake, and then accept the decision we make. We’re not reckless. It’s a controlled risk.”

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