Real Madrid has officially announced the squad list for tonight’s critical match against Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium. With the La Liga title race reaching a breaking point, Alvaro Arbeloa has named a group that balances defensive reinforcements with notable absences in the final third.
The primary talking point remains the absence of Kylian Mbappé, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, and the long-term loss of Éder Militão following his recent surgery.
Real Madrid Squad List vs. Espanyol
| Position | Players Called Up |
| Goalkeepers | Andriy Lunin, Fran González, Sergio Mestre. |
| Defenders | David Alaba, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Raúl Asencio, Álvaro Carreras, Fran García, Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy, Dean Huijsen, David Jiménez. |
| Midfielders | Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Thiago Pitarch, César Palacios. |
| Forwards | Vinícius Jr., Gonzalo García, Brahim Díaz, Franco Mastantuono. |
Key Takeaways from the Squad Selection
- Courtois Out, Lunin Starts: Although Thibaut Courtois returned to partial training this week, the club has decided not to risk him in Catalonia. He remains in Madrid to finalize his fitness, with the medical staff targeting next week’s El Clásico for his official return to the XI. Andriy Lunin continues between the sticks.
- The “Castilla” Influence: With the first team facing a “wretched” run of injuries, Arbeloa has relied heavily on the academy. Gonzalo García is expected to start in place of Mbappé, while Thiago Pitarch has been brought back from the Castilla ranks after his heroics in the Premier League International Cup.
- Rotation in the Air: Reports suggest that because Barcelona moved 14 points clear after beating Osasuna, Arbeloa may rotate certain veterans to avoid further muscular injuries ahead of the May 10 Clásico. However, with a draw or loss officially handing the title to Barça tonight, the pressure to play a strong side remains.
Match Details & How to Watch
- Date: Sunday, May 3, 2026
- Kick-off Time: 21:00 CET / 03:00 PM EST
- Venue: RCDE Stadium, Barcelona
- TV/Streaming: DAZN (Spain), ESPN+ / ESPN Deportes (USA)
RMxtra Verdict: This is a “skeleton” squad in some areas, but the presence of Bellingham, Vinícius, and Valverde shows that Madrid isn’t ready to hand over the trophy just yet. All eyes will be on Gonzalo García to see if the young forward can replicate his academy form on the big stage.
