Just when you thought the drama dial couldn't crank any higher in Spain, this week decided to throw all the football plot twists at once. From injury blows to surprise starts and coaching rumors that just won’t die, here’s your no-fluff roundup of everything going down in the ever-chaotic world of Spanish football.
Mbappé Is Back, Mendy Too, and Barça Fans Just Got a New Headache
Let’s start with the good news if you’re a Real Madrid fan (and bad news if you’re literally anyone else). Kylian Mbappé is officially back in full team training. Yes, the Frenchman who could blink and create a goal is now fully available ahead of the upcoming final clash. Ferland Mendy also returned to training, meaning Carlo Ancelotti has even more tools to throw at Barça in the Copa del Rey final. Perfect timing, really.
Meanwhile, over in Catalunya…
Lewandowski Injured. Again. Because Life Is Cruel.
Barcelona confirmed Robert Lewandowski has suffered a semitendinosus injury (that’s thigh for us normal folk), and yeah, it’s not looking good. The striker is expected to be out for three weeks, which rules him out of the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid and probably the Champions League semi-final against Inter too. Xavi might want to keep a defibrillator handy because this season is not for the faint of heart.
Ansu Fati Gets the Nod — Hello, 2020 Feels
In a plot twist no one saw coming, Ansu Fati started for Barcelona against Mallorca, his first start for the club since October 2024. That’s right, Fati’s back in the XI and possibly in Flick’s good graces again. Whether it’s a comeback story or a one-off “let’s see what happens” experiment, we’ll find out soon enough.
Meanwhile, in the Managerial Gossip Corner: Xabi Alonso Watch Is Heating Up
And now for everyone’s favorite “will he, won’t he” subplot: Xabi Alonso remains the top target for the Real Madrid managerial job. Bayer Leverkusen aren’t standing in his way either, thanks to a classic gentlemen’s agreement that basically screams, “We love you, Xabi, but we know you’ve got bigger fish to fry.”
Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro even confirmed the exit clause, adding that a decision will likely come “in the next three to four weeks.” Translation: buckle up, the Xabi-to-Madrid saga is just getting started.
TL;DR:
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Mbappé and Mendy are back just in time for Madrid to look terrifying again.
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Lewandowski is out with a thigh injury and will miss big games.
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Ansu Fati is back in Barça’s starting XI after what feels like a footballing eternity.
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Xabi Alonso might be Real Madrid’s next boss—and Leverkusen won’t stop him.
And you thought your week was chaotic.
