Real Madrid today announced its 23-man squad for the upcoming La Liga match against Sevilla. The highly anticipated Matchday 17 fixture is scheduled for Sunday, December 22, 2025, at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. The squad sees several key players return from recent minor ailments, although the team continues to grapple with significant defensive and midfield injuries.^[1] The announcement, made on Saturday, December 21, confirms a strong lineup for coach Carlo Ancelotti as Los Blancos aim to secure crucial points before the festive break. Star forwards Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappé, and Rodrygo are all included in the attacking contingent. Midfield stalwarts Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurélien Tchouameni also feature, providing depth and quality in the center of the park. ^[1]### Squad Details and Key Inclusions The full Real Madrid squad for the clash against Sevilla is as follows: Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin, and Sergio Mestre. De^[1]fenders: David Alaba, Raúl Asencio, Fran García, Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy, Dean Huijsen, and David Jiménez. Midfie^[1]lders: Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouameni, Arda Güler, Dani Ceballos, Mario Cestero, and Thiago. Forwards^[1]: Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappé, Rodrygo, Gonzalo, and Franco Mastantuono. The incl^[1]usion of players like Kylian Mbappé and Rodrygo is a boost for the team, as both have recently been managing minor physical discomforts and muscle injuries respectively. Ferland M^[2]endy and Antonio Rüdiger, who were also dealing with muscle issues, are part of the defensive roster, indicating their readiness for the upcoming challenge. David Alab^[2][1]a's presence in the squad is also notable, demonstrating his return to full fitness. ### Injury Woes Persist for Key Defenders and Midfielder Despite several positive returns, Real Madrid's injury list remains a concern, particularly in defense and midfield. Éder Militão is unavailable due to a tendon injury, with his return not expected until early February 2026. Fellow defen^[2]der Dani Carvajal is also sidelined with a knee injury, projected to be out until early January 2026. These absenc^[2]es necessitate tactical adjustments for Ancelotti, who has often relied on the versatility of players like Aurélien Tchouameni to fill in at center-back when needed. In midfield,^[3] Federico Valverde is a notable absentee, recovering from a muscle injury. His dynamic p^[2]resence and tireless work rate will be missed in the crucial encounter. While Dani Ceballos was recently dealing with gastrointestinal discomfort, he has been included in the squad, suggesting he is fit enough to contribute. The sustained^[2][1] period of injuries has tested the squad's depth throughout the season, but the team has largely managed to maintain strong performances in La Liga. ### Ancelotti's Expectations Ahead of Crucial Match Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti emphasized the importance of the match against Sevilla, highlighting the team's desire to finish the year strongly. "We're back at home after several games on the road. Finishing the year in front of our fans is exciting and we want to end on a high," Ancelotti told the press on Saturday, December 21. "Sevilla are playing well and competing in every game, but we want to round off the year with a win". Ancelotti ac^[4]knowledged the competitive nature of La Liga, stating, "It's going to be a far more hard-fought battle for the league than it has been in recent years". He praised hi^[4]s team's performance throughout 2024, describing it as "fantastic, unforgettable," and expressed confidence in their ability to continue delivering their best. The coach not^[4]ed that the squad possesses "an unbelievable level" and is motivated to compete for titles. Speaking abo^[4]ut the team's readiness despite injuries, Ancelotti remarked on the squad's ability to overcome adversity. He previously mentioned that the team had addressed areas like attitude and collective commitment, which helped them return to strong form after challenging periods. "The team has^[5][6] worked well and we've had time to prepare for the match. I hope we can show our best tomorrow," Ancelotti stated, underscoring the team's preparation. The match ag^[7]ainst Sevilla holds significant weight for Real Madrid's La Liga title aspirations. Heading into this fixture, Real Madrid is positioned among the league leaders, with every point vital in the tightly contested race. Sevilla, desp^[3][6]ite an unremarkable start to their campaign, has shown resilience and will present a stern test at the Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid a^[3]ims to leverage its home advantage and the return of key offensive players to secure a victory that will bolster their position at the top of the La Liga table as 2025 draws to a close.

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