Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé inches closer to Club World Cup debut. Here's the latest.
Mbappé was upbeat and energetic during the first 15 minutes of Real Madrid's training session open to media members at The Gardens North County District Park on Monday, June 30.
Real Madrid will play Juventus in their Club World Cup round-of-16 match at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium at 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 1.
Mbappé has missed all three of Real Madrid's matches in the group stage of the tournament, while reacclimating back to form after a stomach flu that caused him to be briefly hospitalized on June 19. The club said he was treated for "an acute case of gastroenteritis."
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso will speak during a press conference later Monday, where Mbappé's condition will likely be addressed.
"As we always do, we're working hard and I think we're ready for the game. Hopefully, it'll be a good game," said Dean Huijsen, a 20-year-old defender who rose through the Juventus ranks, played with Bournemouth in the Premier League last year, and joined Real Madrid this summer.
Real Madrid is often a perennial favorite as one of the sport's giants, but two other clubs are considered favorites to the win the Club World Cup more than them.
BETMGM has Paris Saint-Germain – the reigning Champions League winners, which beat Lionel Messi's Inter Miami 4-0 on June 29 in the round of 16 – and Manchester City – which beat Juventus 5-2 on June 26 – as the favorites with +275 odds to win the Club World Cup.
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, which beat Brazilian side Flamengo 4-2 on June 29 to reach the quarterfinals, have the next-best odds at +550.
It's only natural for the participating clubs to watch others play, while waiting in the wings.
"We can see the rooms in the hotel, in the common room, and also there in the tents. We need to see the other teams, analyze them a little," Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal said.
"And the truth is that it has been a good championship and we hope to get as far as possible and, why not, win."
Real Madrid was able to advance out the knockout stage as a group winner with a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal on June 18, a 3-1 win against Mexican club Pachuca on June 22, and a 3-0 win against Austrian side FC Red Bull Salzburg on June 26.
Juventus was runner up to Manchester City in their group after a 5-2 loss to them on June 26, and features U.S. Men's National Team standouts Weston McKinnie and Tim Weah. The Italian club also beat Al Ain 5-0 on June 18 and Wydad AC 4-1 on June 22 in the group stage.
While they await Mbappé's return, Carvajal could be close to a major injury return himself.
Carvajal, who helped Spain win the European Championship in July, had surgery to repair a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, a ruptured external collateral ligament and a ruptured popliteus tendon in his right leg in October.
"If you had asked me a month and a half ago, I would have said: I don't see myself here because I didn't feel like I could be here, but today I do see myself competing. In the end, everything changes," Carvajal said.
"I set it as a goal, but I also remained realistic and cautious. I'm happy. … I'm not afraid. I have no qualms about training hard, putting my foot down, and for me, that's the best part."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Chelsea sign Brazil forward Joao Pedro from Brighton
Brazil forward Joao Pedro has joined Chelsea from Brighton to continue the London giants' lavish spending under American owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. Joao Pedro cost a reported $A125 million and has signed a contract through to 2033. "Everyone knows this is a big club with a great history," Joao Pedro said. "They had brilliant players in the past and have brilliant players now. So I am excited to join and you know when you are a Chelsea player you must think one thing - win." He has joined up with Chelsea's squad at the Club World Cup in the United States and is eligible to play in Friday's quarter-final against Palmeiras. Joao Pedro is Chelsea's fifth major signing this offseason after previous deals for Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, Kendry Paez and Mamadou Sarr. The boy from Brazil. 🇧🇷 — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 2, 2025 Under Boehly and Clearlake, the six-time English Premier League champions have spent well in excess of $A1.53 billion on transfers, including British record fess for Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo. Joao Pedro's arrival comes as Chelsea prepares for a return to the Champions League after a two-year absence. Bayer Leverkusen have signed defender Jarell Quansah from English champions Liverpool in a £35 million deal. The 22-year-old centre-back has joined the German Bundesliga club on a five-year contract. Quansah was part of the England side who won the European Under-21 Championship by beating Germany in the final on Saturday. His move is the third deal between the clubs this summer after Liverpool signed midfielder Florian Wirtz and defender Jeremie Frimpong.
San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
New recruit Giroud feels ageing body can stand rigors of Ligue 1 with Lille
Veteran striker Olivier Giroud feels his ageing body can withstand the rigors of the French league and that he has plenty to offer his new club Lille. The 38-year-old Frenchman was presented to the media on Wednesday after ending a disappointing spell in Major League Soccer with Los Angeles FC. 'I feel in good shape physically, don't worry,' Giroud said. 'I'm ready to take up the challenge. I feel good for my age and I want to play until my body says stop.' His contract with LAFC was set to expire at the end of this year, but the club and Giroud mutually agreed to part ways so he could leave on a free transfer and join Lille, which finished fifth in Ligue 1 last season. Giroud is France's all-time leading scorer with 57 goals and won the 2018 World Cup with Les Bleus. Although he was popular with fans at LAFC, he managed just five goals in 38 matches for the team. 'The style of play in the MLS didn't necessarily suit me,' he said. 'Coming back to France 13 years later is an opportunity and an incredible challenge for me.' Giroud left the French league in 2012 after helping unheralded Montpellier beat Paris Saint-Germain to win the Ligue 1 title, scoring 21 goals in the competition that season, before joining English Premier League side Arsenal, where he won three FA Cup trophies. He then played for Chelsea and AC Milan, making a good impression with his knack for scoring crucial goals, his hold-up play and his unselfishness — all hallmarks of his game. With Chelsea, Giroud won the Europa League in 2019 and the Champions League in 2021 as well as the FA Cup, and he was also one of the key players when AC Milan won the Serie A title in 2022. Lille impressed at times in the Champions League last season, beating Real Madrid, but will play in the Europa League this season. 'I need challenges, to challenge myself. that's what has driven my career forward," Giroud said. "This challenge speaks to me." Lille opens its Ligue 1 campaign at Brest in mid-August. ___
NBC Sports
an hour ago
- NBC Sports
2025 Club World Cup quarterfinal predictions: Who will reach the final four?
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has entered the quarterfinal stage and there are some huge teams, and some surprising teams, remaining in the competition. MORE — Prize money list for Club World Cup Will the favorites advance? Or will we see more shocks like we've had throughout this tournament, but especially in the last 16? MORE — Club World Cup schedule, bracket With four superb quarterfinals ties coming up this holiday weekend, below we reveal our Club World Cup quarterfinal predictions. 2025 FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinal predictions Friday, July 4 Fluminense 2-3 Al Hilal — This feels like it's going to be one heck of a game between two teams who weren't expected to reach the quarterfinals and will go all-out to reach the semis. Simone Inzaghi's Al Hilal showed against City that they will go for it and are so dangerous on the counter. Fluminense should have scored more against Inter Milan but gave up big chances too. This has all of the ingredients to be a classic and Al Hilal's extra depth should make the difference. Palmeiras 1-3 Chelsea — Enzo Maresca's Chelsea have improved as this competition has gone on and even without the suspended Moises Caicedo they should have more than enough to get past Palmeiras. Up top Liam Delap will likely be key and new signing Joao Pedro (a Brazilian international) is available to play right away. Palmeiras have been solid and steady but Chelsea are a big step up from the teams they've faced so far in this competition. Saturday, July 5 PSG 3-2 Bayern Munich — This is going to be a lot of fun. PSG press high and create so many chances but they're also vulnerable on the counter. That is where Bayern Munich thrive and there will be a lot of goals in this game. PSG have the extra depth and with Ousmane Dembele returning in attack that gives them the edge. Just. Don't be surprised if Bayern take the lead and if this goes to extra time. Real Madrid 2-1 Borussia Dortmund — A clash between two teams who both play a 3-5-2 and despite Real Madrid having the superior talent, don't sleep on Dortmund. Niko Kovac has done a great job to turn things around for the German giants and Serhou Guirassy is in fine form up top. But Real Madrid have been improving each game under new manager Xabi Alonso and getting Kylian Mbappe back from his stomach issue could be the difference in this one.
