Kylian Mbappé's availability for Real Madrid's opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup against Al Hilal is now uncertain due to illness. The French star missed the team's final training session in Miami on Tuesday, raising concerns about his participation in Wednesday's game at Hard Rock Stadium.
According to reports, Mbappé has come down with a fever and remained at the team hotel while new manager Xabi Alonso oversaw training in the Miami heat. Real Madrid's medical staff are closely monitoring Mbappé's condition, and the club is wary of overexerting him, especially considering the hot and humid weather in Florida. A final decision on his involvement will be made closer to the match.
Mbappé's potential absence would be a significant setback for Real Madrid. Since joining the club, he has been a key player, leading the team in scoring last season with 43 goals across all competitions. He also claimed the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Boot in his debut season.
Adding to Alonso's woes, Brazilian teenager Endrick is also unavailable due to a leg muscle injury sustained in a recent La Liga match against Sevilla. Endrick's injury further complicates Alonso's selection options, potentially leaving him without a recognised centre-forward for his managerial debut.
Despite the concerns, there is optimism that Mbappé's illness is not a long-term issue. If he misses the Al Hilal match, he is expected to recover in time for Real Madrid's subsequent fixture against Pachuca on Sunday, June 22.
Alonso acknowledged the situation at a press conference, stating that Mbappé was "a bit better this morning, but he was not fully fit, so we thought it would be best for him to skip training. Let's see how it evolves, and we'll make a last-minute decision."
Real Madrid enters the Club World Cup as a favourite, having dominated European football by winning five of the last 10 Champions League titles. The team features a blend of youth and experience, with new signings like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen joining established stars such as Vinícius Jr. and Jude Bellingham.
Al Hilal, the champions of the AFC Champions League, are a formidable opponent. Their squad includes players like João Cancelo, Sergej Milinković-Savić, and Aleksandar Mitrović, who bring European-level experience and quality. In 2023, Al Hilal reached the Club World Cup final, becoming the first Saudi side to achieve this feat.
Regardless of Mbappé's availability, Alonso emphasized the importance of defensive work and pressing as a unit. "Defensive work is important. It's one of the tasks we need to address in the short term, and in the long term, it will be decisive for our success," he said.
The match will be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
