Real Madrid handed late illness blow ahead of Supercopa de Espana semi-final

Real Madrid captain Luka Modric has been ruled out of Thursday evening’s Supercopa de Espana semi-final against Mallorca just hours before the game.

Madrid have travelled to Saudi Arabia seeking to retain the trophy they won 12 months ago.

They are favourites to progress against Mallorca, who qualified as a result of reaching last season’s Copa del Rey final, but will have to do it without an unwell Modric.

The 39-year-old midfielder is confirmed as having come down with a viral infection and will sit out the game. There is no indication of when he might fully recover, but the uncertainty also serves to make Modric a doubt for the Supercopa final on Sunday – if Madrid get there.

Barcelona are waiting in the final, which is being played in Saudi Arabia for the fourth successive year, having beaten Athletic Club in the host city of Jeddah on Wednesday night.

The Catalans hold the record for all-time Supercopa 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 prevailed in a 3-1 scoreline in 2023.

Carlo Ancelotti has suggested the Supercopa is an important trophy because of the momentum that typically follows on from it – Madrid have gone on to win both La Liga and the Champions League within a few months of their two most recent January triumphs.

“It is the first competition of the year and we won it in 2022 and 2024. That gave us motivation and that is what we hope for this Supercopa: that it brings us motivation and commitment for the rest of the season,” Ancelotti said as he addressed the media in the build-up.

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