The Copa del Rey final at La Cartuja Stadium brings a major surprise: Kylian Mbappé will not start for Real Madrid. The French forward, still struggling with a sprained right ankle suffered during the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals against Arsenal, has not fully recovered and will begin the match on the bench.

Carlo Ancelotti, the Madrid coach, has decided to adjust his usual formation, opting for a midfield-heavy setup with four central midfielders. As a result, the attacking line will be led by the Brazilian duo of Rodrygo Goes and Vinícius Jr., while the midfield will feature Aurélien Tchouaméni, Fede Valverde, Dani Ceballos, and Jude Bellingham.

Additionally, Ferland Mendy returns to the Madrid defense after recovering from a muscle injury that had sidelined him since March 12. The French left-back will be tasked with closely marking Lamine Yamal, the young rising star of Barcelona.

Real Madrid’s Starting XI for the Grand Final

Real Madrid will take the field with the following lineup: Thibaut Courtois in goal; a backline of Lucas Vázquez, Nacho Fernández, Antonio Rüdiger, and Ferland Mendy; a midfield formed by Tchouaméni, Valverde, Ceballos, and Bellingham; and an attack led by Rodrygo and Vinícius Jr..

Meanwhile, Barcelona, coached by Hansi Flick, also presents a competitive starting XI, relying on a young and dynamic core that has excited their fans throughout the season.

The final promises to deliver a thrilling clash full of passion, rivalry, and high-quality football. Despite Mbappé's absence from the starting lineup, the match is set to offer a true spectacle between two in-form sides with plenty of unfinished business. The anticipation in Seville is sky-high for one of the most awaited games of the year in Spanish football.