STAR striker Kylian Mbappé might make his Club World Cup debut for Real Madrid on Tuesday (Wednesday, July 2, 2025, PH time) when they face Juventus in the round of 16.
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso confirmed the “big possibility” of Mbappé’s availability during a Monday press conference at Hard Rock Stadium.
Mbappé has been sidelined with a gastrointestinal illness since before Real Madrid’s first Club World Cup match, requiring hospital treatment.
He missed all three group-stage games, where Madrid posted a 2-0-1 record.
His return would significantly boost the tournament’s star power, especially after Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were eliminated by Mbappé’s former club, Paris Saint-Germain, in the first knockout round.
Alonso also announced that captain Dani Carvajal and defender Éder Militão will start on Tuesday.
Their return will strengthen a backline that has relied on new signings Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen to start every game so far.
Carvajal has been out since tearing his ACL and undergoing surgery last fall.
“I could be on the bench at the disposal of the manager, so I’m very happy about that,” Carvajal stated Monday at Real Madrid’s training center in Palm Beach Gardens. / From the wires