Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso confirmed that star forward Kylian Mbappé was "not ready to start" in the highly anticipated 2026 Spanish Supercopa final against arch-rivals Barcelona. The statement came after Real Madrid's 3-2 defeat to Barcelona on January 11, 2026, in a match where Mbappé, recovering from a left knee injury sustained in late December, was brought on as a substitute in the final 15 minutes. Alonso explained that the decision to hold Mbappé back from the starting XI was a pre-planned strategy to allow him to make a significant impact off the bench, acknowledging the Frenchman's fitness was not at the required intensity for a full game. However, the story took a dramatic turn immediately after the final. Xabi Alonso, who had only been appointed as Real Madrid's head coach in June 2025 following a successful stint at Bayer Leverkusen, was dismissed from his role on January 12, 2026, just one day after the Supercopa defeat. His seven-month tenure at the helm of the Spanish giants was cut short amidst growing pressure after inconsistent performances, including a league position behind Barcelona and Champions League exits. Following his departure, Kylian Mbappé, along with other Real Madrid players, took to social media to express their gratitude and appreciation for Alonso's coaching and the confidence he instilled in them during his brief period at the club. This rapid development underscores the high-stakes nature of managing one of the world's biggest football clubs.