In Manchester, England, Real Madrid’s head coach Xabi Alonso is still uncertain if Kylian Mbappé will be fit to participate in the upcoming Club World Cup knockout match after the player missed all three group stage encounters.
Mbappé was recently hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis, which has kept him off the field for the entirety of the tournament so far. Despite returning to training, he was not listed as a substitute for Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory over RB Salzburg on Thursday.
Alonso cautiously commented, “I don’t want to be overly optimistic and jump to conclusions, but we need him because he’s an exceptional player, one of the world’s best. We are hopeful for his swift return,” when probed about Mbappé’s readiness for the Tuesday round of 16 showdown against Juventus.
As one of the premier figures at the expanded Club World Cup event in the United States, MBappe’s participation is eagerly anticipated. His absence is being felt significantly in a tournament that FIFA president Gianni Infantino envisions as a major sporting extravaganza.
In an effort to boost the tournament’s prestige, Infantino secured Lionel Messi’s participation by granting Inter Miami entry regardless of their MLS Cup standing and also encouraged clubs to sign Cristiano Ronaldo during a specially created transfer window for the event.
Mbappé, alongside Messi and Erling Haaland, is one of the headline acts, but his involvement has been dampened by off-field controversies.
Apart from his health concerns, he recently made headlines again by initiating a moral harassment lawsuit against his previous club Paris Saint-Germain due to grievances over his treatment following his contract non-renewal decision in 2023.
Additionally, Mbappé is embroiled in a financial dispute with PSG over 55 million euros ($61 million) alleged in unpaid salaries.
These issues could potentially impact Real Madrid’s quest to become the first team to claim the new Club World Cup and the coveted trophy designed by Tiffany & Co.
The 26-year-old was the top scorer for Madrid last season, netting 43 times across 56 games. Madrid confirmed that he has been undergoing targeted medical treatments to recover from his illness, but he has been absent from two matches since his hospital release.
Alonso stated, “We need him and we want him back as soon as possible and in optimal condition.”