Kylian Mbappé Ruled Out of Real Madrid Squad vs. Salzburg in Club World Cup
Real Madrid has officially confirmed that star forward Kylian Mbappé was not included in the squad for their crucial final Club World Cup group stage match against Red Bull Salzburg. The decision comes as the 26-year-old continues his recovery from a recent severe illness that impacted his availability for the tournament.
Mbappé has yet to make his debut for Real Madrid in the Club World Cup this summer, having previously missed the group games against Al Hilal and Pachuca.
Recovery from Severe Illness
The primary reason for Mbappé’s continued absence is his ongoing recovery from a serious bout of acute gastroenteritis. The illness was significant enough to require his hospitalization shortly after the team arrived in Palm Beach for the tournament.
Reports indicated that the illness led to a notable loss of weight for Mbappé, estimated to be around 4 to 5 kilograms from his typical weight of approximately 75kg. This physical toll meant that despite returning to individual training earlier in the week and later rejoining the team for lighter sessions, he was not yet deemed ready for competitive match action.
Manager Xabi Alonso Explains Caution
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso addressed Mbappé’s status ahead of the Salzburg fixture, emphasizing the need for caution.
“I was happy to see him on the pitch, but it was the first day he’d put on his boots and run a bit,” Alonso stated. “He’s been good, but not recovered enough.”
Alonso explained that Mbappé still had a “weak spot” preventing him from performing at the required competitive level. The decision to exclude him from the squad was made jointly with the player, who agreed it was best to focus on full recovery to be available should the team advance to the knockout stages (Round of 16). Medical staff also raised concerns about the impact of the high summer temperatures on his recovery process, adding another layer to the cautious approach. Real Madrid stressed they were unwilling to take any risks with the player’s wellbeing.
Crucial Match Amidst Squad Challenges
The match against Salzburg was pivotal for Real Madrid’s qualification hopes in the Club World Cup. Despite drawing their opening match against Al Hilal, Los Blancos entered the final group game atop their table, controlling their destiny. A draw would be enough to advance, while a win would secure top spot.
Mbappé’s absence was part of a wider challenge for Alonso, with Real Madrid facing the crucial fixture without a significant number of key players. In total, eight players were unavailable, including Militão, Carvajal, Camavinga, Mendy, Endrick, Alaba, Mbappé, and the suspended Marco Asensio.
Real Madrid Secures Qualification Despite Absences
Ultimately, despite facing Salzburg without Mbappé and numerous other players, Real Madrid secured a decisive 3-0 victory at Lincoln Financial Field. Goals from Vinícius Júnior, Federico Valverde, and Gonzalo García sealed the win, ensuring Real Madrid finished comfortably at the top of Group H.
This result successfully navigated the group stage challenge, meaning Real Madrid qualified for the Round of 16. Their next opponent is confirmed to be Italian side Juventus, with the tie scheduled for July 1st.
The focus now shifts to Mbappé’s recovery timeline, with hopes that he could potentially feature in the knockout stages as Real Madrid continues its pursuit of the Club World Cup trophy. His anticipated debut in the tournament remains a key point of interest for fans.
