For the fifth consecutive year and fourth in a row, Saudi Arabia will host the Spanish Super Cup, with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Athletic Club, and Mallorca battling for the first title of the season. After three editions in Riyadh, the tournament returns to Jeddah, where it was held in 2020, marking the first time the event took place in the Gulf nation.

The Path to the Title: Crucial Matches for the Favorites

The tournament will kick off this Wednesday with a clash between Barcelona and Athletic Club, followed by Real Madrid vs. Mallorca on Thursday. The matches will be held at King Abdullah Stadium, also known as ‘The Jewel,’ with a capacity of 62,345 spectators. Teams will face off in front of a limited number of fans due to the distance from Spain.

Real Madrid Defends Title, Aiming for 14th Super Cup

Real Madrid arrives with high morale after their La Liga victory and the presence of stars like Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé. The team will defend the title they won last year, when they triumphed 4-1 over Barcelona, with a hat-trick from Vinícius Júnior. However, the Brazilian forward is facing a potential suspension following his red card against Valencia.

Barcelona Faces Uncertainty and Challenges

Barcelona, despite doubts following a tough finish to 2023, aims to recover and win the tournament with Lamine Yamal returning from injury. Xavi Hernández’s team, missing Dani Olmo due to financial issues, arrives in Saudi Arabia needing to improve their form after dropping several points in La Liga.

Athletic Club and Mallorca Seek Upset

Copa del Rey champions Athletic Club arrive with confidence, while Mallorca, making its debut in this edition, hopes to surprise the big clubs. Despite an unexpected elimination in the Copa, Jagoba Arrasate's team remains competitive in La Liga.

The Super Cup and the RFEF: Contradictions and Controversies

Despite criticism for holding the tournament in Saudi Arabia, the RFEF continues with its contract, which stipulates the Super Cup will be hosted in the country until 2029. Each edition generates 40 million for the federation, a portion of which is distributed among the participating teams.