Kylian Mbappé has been left out of Real Madrid's squad for their Copa del Rey semifinal first leg at Real Sociedad on Wednesday, after having dental surgery earlier this week, which included the removal of a tooth.
Initially, coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed confidence about Mbappé's participation, claiming during his pre-match news conference, "He will travel tomorrow." Ancelotti added, "He had a problem with his tooth, he couldn't train today, but he'll travel tomorrow, and everyone who travels has the chance to play." This statement sparked anticipation among fans, expecting the star player to feature in the match.
Despite Ancelotti's previous assurance, it was revealed shortly before the matchday squad announcement, which surprised supporters, as Mbappé's recovery from the dental procedure did not go as planned. The forward struggled with significant pain and could not train with his teammates, leading to the decision not to include him.
Alongside Mbappé, Real Madrid will also be without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and midfielder Federico Valverde. Courtois was not set to participate regardless, with Andriy Lunin previously confirmed to take his place. Valverde, who has been dealing with discomfort from previous matches, did not make the list to allow for adequate recovery time.
Mbappé, who has been on fire this season with 14 goals already recorded, was key to Real Madrid’s attacking threat. His standout performances prior to this incident included scoring 17 goals across 23 La Liga appearances and hitting the back of the net seven times during the Champions League run—most recently with a hat trick against Manchester City.
Missing from such important fixtures is never ideal for any player, especially one with Mbappé's caliber, but Ancelotti is prioritizing the health of his players as they approach what he described as the 'storm' of pivotal matches. Resting Mbappé, along with others, aims to keep the squad fresh as they face upcoming league commitments and the Champions League round-of-16 clash with their local rivals Atletico Madrid.
Real Madrid's squad for the Copa del Rey match against Real Sociedad includes goalkeepers Lunin, Fran González, and Mestre; defenders Alaba, Lucas V., Fran García, Rüdiger, Mendy, and Ascencio; midfielders Bellingham, Camavinga, Modrić, Tchouaméni, Arda Güler, Ceballos, and Chema; with forwards Vini Jr., Rodrygo, Endrick, Brahim, and Gonzalo.
The Copa del Rey semifinal matches are always highly anticipated, and this year is no different. The absence of Mbappé—who has proven to be indispensable to Madrid's success this season—could take away from the team's potential. Still, fans will be eager to see if the remaining squad can step up and secure victory without their superstar on the pitch.
It remains to be seen how long Mbappé will be sidelined due to the dental procedure, but early indications suggest he should be ready for the match against Real Betis and the subsequent Champions League fixtures, should his recovery progress as expected. Meanwhile, the focus will shift to the players available, who must now step up to the challenge without their leading scorer.