Mbappé was traveling. It was the news of the squad. He led the Madrid squad to Seville.

Because his ankle, battered since the return match against Arsenal, is progressing. Adequate, but not completely. In the penultimate rehearsal (on Thursday), his ankle was still hurting, causing him some slight discomfort.

It was decided not to force it. And that's the crux of the matter.

He tested himself in the last rehearsal in Madrid before traveling, but the refereeing dustbin wouldn't let him do it at La Cartuja. And the sensations weren't entirely encouraging. Better, but not complete.

Internally, there's no total certainty about his starting lineup. A more than reasonable doubt with 24 hours to go until the whistle. He'll test himself one last time, on the morning of the match, and then he'll decide. He's a doubt until the end... in the final.

If he can finally make the starting lineup, it will be another test of fire. A huge success for the Frenchman, singled out for more than his lackluster performances against Atlético Madrid and Arsenal in the Champions League and in the two previous matches against Barcelona.

However, there is one striking fact about the striker from Bondy. And a positive one. In the three finals he has played so far with Madrid, he has scored in all three, something that has helped the Whites fill their shelves a little more with the European Super Cup titles and the Intercontinental Cup. Two precise, one-touch finishes, and two prizes for Madrid.