Mbappé Misses Out Again as Real Madrid Eyes Club World Cup

PHILADELPHIA — Kylian Mbappé will not feature in Real Madrid’s final group game of the Club World Cup against Red Bull Salzburg, despite returning to training just a day earlier.

The French forward was left out of the 23-man squad named by head coach Xabi Alonso for Thursday’s match at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The decision has raised eyebrows, especially after Real Madrid released photos of Mbappé training with teammates on Wednesday at their Florida base.

Mbappé has been recovering from a bout of gastroenteritis. He was hospitalised briefly last Thursday and missed Real’s opening two games a 1–1 draw with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal and a 3–1 win over Mexico’s Pachuca.

After Sunday’s win, Alonso had offered a positive update. “He is doing better, he is recovering,” the coach told reporters. That seemed to suggest a potential return was on the cards.

However, the club’s latest squad list shows the 26-year-old is still not ready for action. No official reason was given for his continued absence.

Real Madrid are currently top of Group H and need only a draw against Salzburg to guarantee a place in the last 16. A win would secure the top spot and likely offer a slightly more favourable tie in the next round, where possible opponents include Manchester City and Juventus.

Both teams are under pressure to perform. Salzburg, too, are eyeing qualification, which sets the stage for a tense final group clash.

Real’s camp remains focused. “The goal is simple,” midfielder Eduardo Camavinga told local media. “We win, we go through that’s all that matters.”

Still, questions around Mbappé’s fitness and his absence will likely linger, especially given the significance of the tournament and his marquee status following his high-profile move to Madrid earlier this year.

Whether he returns in the knockout stage now depends not just on his health but also on how far Madrid progress in the tournament.

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