MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Kylian Mbappé is making a comeback to the field.
The forward for Real Madrid is expected to make his first appearance in the Club World Cup on Tuesday, facing off against Juventus in the round of 16. When the lineups were revealed, he was named among the substitutes chosen by coach Xabi Alonso.
After missing the initial three games of this tournament due to an illness, Mbappé is now poised to contribute.
Earlier, Alonso mentioned that it was within the realm of possibility for Mbappé to participate in his debut Club World Cup match during this knockout stage. The French star, looking ready for action, joined his team several hours before the kickoff at Hard Rock Stadium.
Mbappé had been sidelined due to a gastrointestinal issue ahead of Real Madrid’s opening match in the Club World Cup. He received medical treatment at a hospital and subsequently missed all three group-stage matches. During his absence, Madrid managed to secure two victories and a draw.
Stepping onto the field prior to Tuesday’s match, Mbappé received enthusiastic support from fans at the drenched venue, which had experienced persistent rainfall throughout the day.
The return of Mbappé adds significant excitement to a tournament that faced a setback when Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were knocked out in the round of 16 by Paris Saint-Germain, a team associated with both Mbappé and Messi.
Additionally, Madrid captain Dani Carvajal and defender Éder Militão were also anticipated to make returns on Tuesday. Carvajal had been out due to tearing his ACL followed by surgery last fall. Both players were included in the list of substitutes.