Real Madrid heads to Seville tonight, Friday, April 24, 2026 (April 25 in India) for a thrilling encounter against Real Betis at the Estadio La Cartuja. While manager Álvaro Arbeloa is focused on cutting the gap to league leaders Barcelona, his preparations have been rocked by a series of medical setbacks. The club’s medical services confirmed a “double blow” yesterday, ruling out two key stars for the remainder of the domestic campaign. However, amidst the defensive crisis, the official squad list has brought a glimmer of hope regarding a “miracle” return in the backline.
Real Betis vs Real Madrid: Match Kick-Off Timings
| Region | Time Zone | Kick-off Time |
| Spain (Local) | CEST | 9:00 PM |
| India | IST | 12:30 AM (Saturday, April 25) |
| USA (East) | ET | 3:00 PM |
| United Kingdom | BST | 8:00 PM |
Will Kylian Mbappé Start At La Cartuja Tonight?
Most probably, yes. Despite rumours of a late fitness test following the Alavés game, Kylian Mbappé is officially in the squad and expected to lead the line alongside Vinícius Júnior. The Frenchman, who currently leads the race for the Pichichi with 24 goals, has successfully participated in the final training sessions at Valdebebas. With Rodrygo sidelined for the long term due to a severe knee injury, Mbappé’s availability is the cornerstone of Arbeloa’s tactical plan to break down a resilient Betis defence that has remained unbeaten in their last three outings.
Arda Güler and Éder Militão Injury Update: Season Over?
Real Madrid has confirmed the worst-case scenario for Arda Güler and Éder Militão. Both players have been diagnosed with muscle injuries in the biceps femoris and are officially ruled out for the rest of the 2025-26 La Liga season.
- Éder Militão: The Brazilian centre-back suffered a visible hamstring tear during the midweek win over Alavés. MRI scans on Thursday confirmed the severity, marking another tragic setback for a player who has already battled consecutive ACL tears.
- Arda Güler: In a cruel twist of fate, the Turkish youngster suffered his injury during the final training session before the trip to Seville. He was forced to remain in the gym while his teammates departed for La Cartuja, with the club confirming he will be sidelined for approximately four to six weeks.
The “Miracle” Return: Will Raúl Asencio Play?
The most surprising inclusion in the squad is Raúl Asencio. The young centre-back was recently hospitalised with a severe bacterial infection that caused him to lose 6kg in a matter of days. While he was initially considered a major doubt, his rapid recovery has allowed him to rejoin the first team. Given the absence of Militão, Asencio’s presence provides critical depth behind Antonio Rüdiger and Dean Huijsen, though he is likely to start on the bench as he regains full match fitness.
Official Real Madrid Squad List vs. Real Betis
- Goalkeepers: Lunin, Mestre, Javi Navarro.
- Defenders: Carvajal, Alaba, Trent, Asensio, Á. Carreras, Fran García, Rüdiger, Mendy, Huijsen, Diego Aguado.
- Midfielders: Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Thiago, Cestero, Manuel Ángel.
- Forwards: Vini Jr., Mbappé, Gonzalo, Brahim, Mastantuono.
