Kylian Mbappe Could Miss Real Madrid's FIFA CWC 2025 Opener Against Al Hilal
The 26-year-old French superstar missed the team's training session due to an illness.
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe could miss the Spanish heavyweight's opening game of the revamped edition of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 against Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old French superstar missed the team's training session due to an illness.
Real's fixture against the Saudi Arabian side will also mark new head coach Xabi Alonso's first game as the manager of the Spanish Capital City side following the departure of former boss Carlo Ancelotti.
'Kylian was feeling a little better this morning, but not enough. It's very hot and it was better that he didn't train. But we will wait until the last moment. Tomorrow morning we will decide," Alonso said.
'Mbappe is a dynamic striker, not a static striker, nor a penalty-box type. The idea isn't to rely on static players. Because Kylian isn't a key 9, but a 9 who scores a lot of goals," the Spaniard added elucidating on the Frenchman's style of play.
'Antonio Rudiger made a brutal effort this season and I don't know if he will be called up tomorrow, but he is progressing well and will be the first to return. Eduardo Camavinga is also improving quickly, but he needs time," Alonso added.
Al Hilal will also be under new stewardship as former Inter Milan boss Simeone Inzaghi will make his bow for the Saudi side at the FIFA CWC.
'We have to prepare for the game in the best possible way. They will be a tough opponent, without a doubt. But it's time to focus on ourselves. They haven't made their debut with Inzaghi yet, so we don't know how they will play," the Spanish World Cup winner said.
'We have to have hunger to win, to compete, to want to play well. We have to mix a lot of things, but that self-love, that feeling of team, that defending the badge… The team already has it, but we have to work on it. We must be a team," the former Real Madrid player added.
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