For Fitness, Mbappe Will Also Be Rotated

Kylian Mbappe will also be rotated by Xabi Alonso for fitness (Instagram/@realmadridfc).

JAKARTA - Kylian Mbappe has started in Real Madrid's five opening games and scored six goals. However, Manager Xabi Alonso said that the forward will also be rotated this season.

Alonso has several times placed Rodrygo as a starter, replacing Vinicius in the left wing of the season.

When asked if Mbappe was the only irreplaceable starter at Real Madrid, Alonso denied it.

"We have a lot of games. I'm sure there will be matches where he won't start."

"He has to accept it naturally. Kylian is very important, but there will be days where he may not have played from the start."

"We have only played five games, we have to wait to draw conclusions," said Alonso.

Alonso revealed that he had spoken to Vinicius Junior during a training session on Friday, September 19, 2025, after the forward was unhappy after not being included in the starting XI in his 2-1 win in the Champions League against Marseille in the middle of last week.

Against Marseille, Rodrygo started replacing Vinicius, who entered in the 63rd minute.

"I see it's fine. Obviously, because of what happened yesterday (in the Champions League), it's not the right time to talk to him."

"However, today he looked more positive and had a happier attitude. I spoke to him, not much. He did some individual training with me. He finished it with a very good feeling," Alonso said of Vinicius.

Alonso further did not confirm whether Vinicius would start a league game on Saturday, September 20, 2025, against Espanyol.

"We'll see what happens later," he said.

Alonso emphasized that Rodrygo and Vinicius both played well, both as starters and as substitutes.

Both of them will certainly enrich the depth of the Los Blancos squad in the midst of a solid agenda to be carried out.

Therefore, reflecting on the cases of Rodrygo and Vinicius, Alonso - whose team has won all five games this season in all competitions - wanting all the players to feel equally valuable.

"Both on the starting line-up and on the bench, their impacts are very good. Rodrygo's quality, his ability to move forward, his ability to connect, but Vinicius also owns it."

"For me, there are many important players in this squad. In terms of level, experience, track record, and what they will give us."

"Vinicius is one of them, Jude (Bellingham), Fede (Valverde), Aurelien (Tchouameni), Dean (Huijsen), Arda (Guler)."

"I really appreciate everyone and I want the whole team to feel important. Everyone is on this boat. I need everyone to move in the same direction," said Alonso again.

Meanwhile, Alonso did not rule out giving playing time to Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga, both of whom have returned to fitness.

Bellingham has not been available since undergoing shoulder surgery in July 2025 after playing for Real Madrid at the 2025 Club World Cup.

Meanwhile, Camavinga has not appeared since April 2025 due to various injuries. Los Blancos will play without Huijsen, who was sent off in a 2-1 win last weekend over Real Sociedad.