Real Madrid captain Luka Modric was ruled out of the Supercopa de Espana semi-final against Mallorca on Thursday night just hours before the game.
Madrid traveled to Saudi Arabia looking to retain the trophy they won 12 months ago.
They are favorites to go through against Mallorca, who qualified as a result of reaching last season’s Copa del Rey final, but will have to do so without the ill Modric.
It has been confirmed that the 39-year-old midfielder has contracted a viral infection and will miss the game. There is no indication of when he might make a full recovery, but the uncertainty also means Modric is a doubt for Sunday’s Super Cup final – if Madrid get there.
In the final, which is being played in Saudi Arabia for the fourth year in a row, Barcelona is waiting, having defeated Athletic Club in the host city of Jeddah on Wednesday evening.
The Catalans hold the all-time record for Super Cup wins, with 14. Madrid are just one behind on 13 and will draw level with their fiercest rivals if they can go all the way again. Last year’s final resulted in a 4-1 victory for Madrid, while Barcelona won 3-1 in 2023.
Carlo Ancelotti has suggested that the Supercopa is an important trophy because of the momentum that usually follows from it – Madrid won both La Liga and Champions League within months of their two most recent January triumphs.
“This is the first competition of the year and we won it in 2022 and 2024. It gave us motivation and that’s what we hope for this Super Cup: that it will bring us motivation and commitment for the rest of the season,” Ancelotti he said while addressing the emerging media.
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