PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Real Madrid may be forced to kick off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign without their marquee signing, Kylian Mbappé.
The French World Cup winner was absent from training on Tuesday due to a fever, according to a Real Madrid spokesperson who confirmed the update to Sports.
All eyes now turn to new head coach Xabi Alonso, who is set to address the media in a press conference Tuesday afternoon. The biggest question looming? Mbappé’s status and whether he’ll be fit in time for Real Madrid’s opener.
The European giants are scheduled to face off against Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al Hilal on Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. It’s the kind of match built for stars — and no one in the tournament shines brighter than Mbappé, except perhaps Lionel Messi, Argentina’s World Cup hero and Inter Miami’s icon.
Should Mbappé be unavailable, Real Madrid won’t be without firepower. The squad still boasts an enviable lineup filled with elite talent. Brazilian wingers Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo are both game-changers with a proven track record on the biggest stages. English phenom Jude Bellingham continues to rise with each match, while veteran playmaker Luka Modrić — a Ballon d’Or winner and Croatian legend — provides poise and leadership in midfield.
New additions could also step into the spotlight. Spanish center back Dean Huijsen and England’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, a recent acquisition at right back, were both seen training on Tuesday. If called upon, they could make their club debuts in Wednesday’s opener — a baptism by fire on a global stage.
Real Madrid’s group in the Club World Cup — Group H — promises no easy path. Alongside Al Hilal, they’ll face stiff competition from Mexico’s Liga MX champion Pachuca and Austrian side FC Red Bull Salzburg. With each team bringing its own unique style and intensity, any misstep could prove costly in the race to lift the trophy.
The potential absence of Mbappé not only casts a shadow over Real Madrid’s first match but also adds intrigue to the broader Club World Cup storyline. Will the European champions rise without their most electrifying forward? Can Alonso rally the squad and craft a winning formula in his first major tournament as head coach?
As anticipation builds and kickoff nears, all eyes remain on Mbappé’s recovery — and whether the fever will cool in time for him to light up Miami’s biggest soccer stage.