Kylian Mbappé made his Club World Cup debut on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in Real Madrid's 1-0 victory against Juventus. The Frenchman's return to the pitch after recovering from a gastrointestinal illness provided a significant boost for Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid side.

Mbappé had been sidelined for Real Madrid's first three Club World Cup matches due to the illness, even being treated at a hospital. In his absence, 21-year-old Gonzalo Garcia stepped up, scoring three goals and contributing in every match of the tournament.

The anticipation surrounding Mbappé's debut was palpable. Before the game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, the star forward received a warm welcome from the fans. Despite heavy downpours earlier in the day, the stadium was filled with excitement as fans awaited Mbappé's appearance.

Mbappé entered the match as a substitute in the 68th minute, replacing Gonzalo Garcia. By this point, Garcia had already scored the winning goal with a header in the 54th minute, following a cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold. Although Mbappé did not score, he was active on the pitch and interacted with the crowd, who chanted his name.

Xabi Alonso had indicated the possibility of Mbappé playing in the match against Juventus, noting that he was improving daily. Alonso also mentioned that he would continue to assess Mbappé's condition in the lead-up to the quarterfinals.

Real Madrid's triumph over Juventus secured their place in the Club World Cup quarterfinals. They are set to face the winner of the Borussia Dortmund vs. Monterrey match on July 5 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Other quarterfinal matchups include PSG vs. Bayern Munich, Fluminense vs. Al-Hilal, and Palmeiras vs. Chelsea.

Mbappé's return adds considerable star power to the Club World Cup, especially after Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were eliminated in the round of 16 by Paris Saint-Germain.