League: LaLiga Sport: Soccer Country: Spain Category: Scores & Results

Espanyol's Alex Calatrava anticipates surreal match against Mbappe for La Liga opener

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 22, 2026, 7:50 AM

Last updated Aug 22, 2026

Espanyol's Alex Calatrava anticipates surreal match against Mbappe for La Liga opener

Summary

Espanyol midfielder Alex Calatrava is gearing up to face Real Madrid this weekend in a La Liga match. Having recently made his debut in the league, he expressed that competing against Kylian Mbappe feels surreal, recalling playing with him on PlayStation. Calatrava discussed the quality of Real Madrid but maintains a confident approach, treating them as any other opponent. He also expressed an interest in Marc Cucurella's shirt post-match, highlighting his admiration for players with unique career paths. Calatrava aims to make a significant impression in what he describes as one of the biggest matches of his career.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Alex Calatrava will play against Kylian Mbappe for the first time.
•Espanyol faces Real Madrid in the La Liga opener this weekend.
•Calatrava made his La Liga debut just days ago.
•He looks forward to the challenge without intimidation.
•Calatrava admires players like Cucurella for their career journeys.

Latest Updates

7:50 AMYahoo Sports — Espanyol star admits facing Mbappe feels surreal ahead of Real Madrid clash: ‘Used to play with him on PlayStation’

What they're saying

"
Alex Calatrava is preparing for one of the biggest matches of his career, with the Espanyol midfielder set to face Real Madrid.The 26-year-old made his La Liga debut just a few days ago and has now re...
— Yahoo Sports

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