Kylian Mbappe is available to play his first competitive game for Real Madrid as they face Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday, Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed, although the manager did not say whether the star striker will start the match.
Mbappe, 25, signed a five-year contract with European and Spanish champions Madrid last month, arriving on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.
The France international joined his new team-mates in pre-season training last week after representing his country at Euro 2024 this summer, and is part of the squad for the Super Cup clash between Champions League winners Madrid and Europa League winners Atalanta in Warsaw, Poland.
“Kylian has arrived well, like everyone else [players] who have not had much time [to train]”Ancelotti said in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday. “He is in good shape, he is adapting well. Obviously, everyone who is here [with the squad] “I could play tomorrow.”
Ancelotti joked that trying to fit all his stars into the team this season – with Mbappé competing for places in the forward line with Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, Endrick, Brahim Díaz, Arda Güler and Jude Bellingham – was a “big problem”.
“I've been thinking all summer about who to choose and who not to choose, and it's ruined my holidays!” laughed Ancelotti. “We have a lot of games. The same players can't play all 70 games.” [this season]Last year, those who played less contributed a lot to the team, those who started from the bench, and that could be the key.”
Ancelotti also did not confirm whether Mbappé will be Madrid's starting penalty taker this season.
“He takes the penalties,” said Ancelotti. “Vini has been taking them well lately. I saw Bellingham do it well in a Euro game.” [Federico] Valverde did great [with a penalty] in the Copa America. We have many interested parties. I will have to choose one for tomorrow and it will be someone who will be a starter.”
“I have had to face [Mbappé] “We've seen him several times,” said defender Dani Carvajal. “As a teammate, he's a great player and he's going to help us a lot to have a great season.”
Madrid have won the UEFA Super Cup five times, most recently in 2022, when they beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 in Helsinki, Finland. After the Super Cup, Madrid will kick off the 2024-25 LaLiga season by visiting Mallorca on Sunday.
