Real Madrid vs Levante UD Lineups: Starting XI 17 Jan 2026
When the official team sheet drops ahead of a Real Madrid home game, fans don’t just glance at it — they pore over it. The 17 January 2026 La Liga fixture against Levante UD brought some answers and a few surprises, including Kylian Mbappé’s start and Raúl Asencio’s presence in the backline. Here’s what the confirmed starting XI tells us, and what it means for the season ahead.
Match Date: 17 January 2026 ·
Competition: La Liga 2025/26 ·
Mbappé Started: Yes ·
Asencio Started: Yes
Quick snapshot
- Real Madrid defeated Levante 2-0 on 17 Jan 2026 (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster))
- Mbappé started and scored a penalty in the 58th minute (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster))
- Raúl Asencio started and scored the second goal in the 65th minute (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster))
- Levante’s starting lineup is not available from official sources (Sky Sports)
- The name of the player reportedly leaving when his contract expires is unconfirmed (AS.com)
- 17 Jan 2026: Real Madrid beat Levante 2-0 with a confirmed starting XI (Real Madrid (official club website))
- Real Madrid’s next La Liga fixture is scheduled for the following weekend (date TBC via official calendar)
- Transfer window decisions may affect squad depth in February
Six key facts, one takeaway: the lineup answers the biggest fan questions about Mbappé and Asencio while leaving a few threads dangling.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | 17 January 2026 |
| Venue | Santiago Bernabéu |
| Competition | La Liga 2025/26 |
| Real Madrid XI | Courtois, Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Bellingham, Gonzalo, Vini Jr., Mbappé |
| Mbappé Starting | Yes |
| Asencio Starting | Yes |
Will Mbappé play against Levante?
Mbappé’s starting role
- Kylian Mbappé started in the 17 January 2026 match and played the full 90 minutes (Sky Sports – match details).
- He scored the opening goal from a penalty kick in the 58th minute (Sky Sports).
The implication: Mbappé’s availability was never in doubt, and his performance justified the manager’s confidence.
Injury updates
- No recent injury reports concerning Mbappé were published ahead of the match (AS.com (Spanish sports daily)).
Why this matters: A fully fit Mbappé gives Real Madrid a genuine goal threat in every competition.
Why is Raul Asencio not playing?
Asencio’s inclusion in lineup
- Raúl Asencio del Rosario was included in the starting lineup against Levante on 17 January 2026 (Real Madrid official – lineup announcement).
- He partnered Dean Huijsen in central defence and later scored the second goal in the 65th minute (Sky Sports).
The pattern: Asencio’s start was not a surprise; he has been a regular this season. The question of rotation only applies to earlier matches where he was rested.
Possible rotation
- In previous matches, Asencio had occasionally been benched to manage workload, but for this fixture he was a key starter (Sports Illustrated (US sports magazine)).
The catch: Fitness and fixture congestion remain the main drivers of defensive rotation, not lack of ability.
Who scored for Madrid against Levante?
Goal scorers
- Kylian Mbappé (penalty, 58th minute) (Sky Sports).
- Raúl Asencio del Rosario (65th minute) (Sky Sports).
Match summary
- Real Madrid won 2-0 in front of 70,104 spectators at the Bernabéu (Sky Sports).
- Federico Valverde captained the side from right-back (Real Madrid official).
What this means: The defence held firm, and the frontline delivered when it counted.
With Mbappé and Asencio both on the scoresheet, Real Madrid proved they can rely on multiple threats — and that’s a worry for every La Liga opponent.
Who is leaving Real Madrid?
Potential departures
- According to speculation cited in pre-match coverage, a long-serving player may leave in the summer when his contract expires (AS.com).
- No specific name was officially confirmed as of the matchday (Real Madrid official).
Contract expirations
- The club has several players whose deals run until summer 2026, making the next transfer window a key period (Sports Illustrated).
The trade-off: Keeping experienced players offers stability, but moving them on frees salary space for new signings.
If a key midfielder or defender departs in June, Carlo Ancelotti will need to reshape his core — and the January window offers a final chance to prepare.
What was the confirmed starting lineup for Real Madrid against Levante?
Real Madrid XI
- Formation: 4-3-3 (Sky Sports).
- Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois (AS.com).
- Defence: Federico Valverde (RB, captain), Raúl Asencio (CB), Dean Huijsen (CB), Álvaro Carreras (LB) (Real Madrid official).
- Midfield: Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga (substituted at 45′), Jude Bellingham (Sports Illustrated).
- Forwards: Gonzalo, Vinícius Jr., Kylian Mbappé (Sky Sports).
Levante XI
- Not officially published in the available match reports; Sky Sports did not carry a confirmed Levante lineup (Sky Sports).
The pattern: Real Madrid’s lineup featured five changes from the previous Copa del Rey match, including the return of Tchouaméni and Bellingham after rest (Sports Illustrated).
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Real Madrid lineup for 17 Jan 2026: Courtois, Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Bellingham, Gonzalo, Vini Jr., Mbappé (Real Madrid official).
- Mbappé started and scored (Sky Sports).
- Asencio started and scored (Sky Sports).
- Attendance: 70,104 (Sky Sports).
What’s unclear
- Levante’s starting lineup
- Name of the player expected to leave in the summer
- Injury status of Dani Carvajal (long-term, but exact return date not given) (AS.com).
Timeline
- 17 January 2026 — Real Madrid 2-0 Levante UD (La Liga matchday 20) (Sky Sports).
The signal: The 2026 win breaks a pattern of uneven home performances and suggests growing defensive solidity.
“The confirmed starting XI for Real Madrid against Levante includes Courtois, Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Bellingham, Gonzalo, Vini Jr., and Mbappé.”
— Real Madrid official website (Real Madrid (official club website))
“Real Madrid secured a 2-0 victory over Levante with goals from Mbappé and Asencio.”
— Sky Sports (Sky Sports)
For Real Madrid fans, the message is clear: the squad depth is there, but key decisions on transfers and rotation will shape the rest of the season. If the club can hold onto its core and integrate younger talents like Asencio, the second half of the campaign promises serious silverware bids. For rival teams in La Liga, the choice is daunting — face a team that can win emphatically without its full-strength lineup.
Frequently asked questions
Who was the goalkeeper for Real Madrid against Levante?
Thibaut Courtois started in goal for Real Madrid on 17 January 2026, replacing Andriy Lunin (AS.com).
How many forwards started for Real Madrid?
Three forwards started: Gonzalo, Vinícius Jr., and Kylian Mbappé (Sky Sports).
Did Real Madrid use a back four or a back three?
Real Madrid lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, meaning a back four: Valverde (RB), Asencio (CB), Huijsen (CB), Carreras (LB) (Real Madrid official).
Which players were the full-backs?
Federico Valverde played at right-back (also captaining the side) and Álvaro Carreras started at left-back (Real Madrid official).
Who played as the central defensive midfielder?
Aurélien Tchouaméni started as the central defensive midfielder, sitting in front of the back four (Sports Illustrated).
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