PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL — There’s a possibility Real Madrid will begin the FIFA Club World Cup without its biggest star.
French World Cup champion Kylian Mbappé — undoubtedly the biggest name in the Club World Cup field outside of Lionel Messi — did not practice with his teammates Tuesday because of a fever.
The club will decide Wednesday morning whether he will play against Saudi Arabian standouts Al Hilal at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET.
“We’ll see how he evolves. We’re going to be waiting for him until the last minute. We’ll make a decision to him [Wednesday] morning,” new Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said.
It might not be the ideal start to Alonso’s tenure, but the former Real Madrid standout hopes his players can find the desire to play and fight for their jersey just like he did.
Real Madrid begins the Club World Cup in transition. The club saw rival Barcelona win the Spanish treble — La Liga, the Spanish Supercopa and the Copa del Rey — last season. Real Madrid was also ousted by English side Arsenal in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, failing to defend their title won last year.
The Club World Cup offers Real Madrid — the most popular soccer team in the world and favorites to win the new FIFA tournament — a chance to secure some hardware amid a trying year.
But the incorporation of Alonso, his new assistant coaches and several new players before the departure of others will be a challenge.
“We have to prove it. We’re here with that intention. We’re not stuck on July 13,” Alonso said when asked about Real Madrid’s being the favorites to win the Club World Cup final. “We know we have to take the necessary steps. We know this is a great starting point, and things will evolve.”
If Mbappe is unable to play against Al Hilal, Real Madrid will rely on a slew of other stars such as Brazilian standouts Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, English star Jude Bellingham, and Croatian 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modrić. But even they have new roles to play in the next phase of the club.
Vini Jr. told Real Madrid’s team website: “We’re eager to win this first World Cup because people never forget the first one, and it’s the only title Madrid doesn’t have. We’re going for it.”
Vini Jr. has scored 21 goals in 52 matches for Real Madrid in the last year, but has been criticized for subpar performances.
“I didn’t know Vincius. I saw a lot of him. And everything I saw and heard — within 10 seconds, I recognized it all,” Alonso said of the Brazilian star. “His personality, the way he communicates with people. He’s a very passionate, and very emotional player. And we need to support him. I love these type of players.”
Bellingham went from scoring 23 goals in 2023-24 to just 14 goals in the last year, as his positioning in Real Madrid’s midfield has been under question.
“He’s a very dynamic player … He needs to be in the right positions because that will help him, and it will help us, because his skills are unbelievable,” Alonso said of Bellingham.
Rodrygo, 23, is a talented winger but prefers to play on the left side occupied by Vini Jr. He also fell out of favor last season under previous coach Carlo Ancelotti despite personal issues.
“I know that the last few matches were not easy for him,” Alonso said of Rodygo. “He’s very eager to play, to contribute on the pitch, and mainly, to enjoy with his talent everything he can give. We spoke about this and now we need to put it into practice.”
Modric — the only player not named Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to win Ballon d’Or from 2008-21 — will be depart Real Madrid after a 13-year stint following the Club World Cup.
“We really want to enjoy the next 3-4 weeks we’re going to be here,” Alonso said of his former teammate Modric. “He’s a long-standing legend, and his legacy will remain in the history of Real Madrid. And we want to just make the most of it.”
Real Madrid newcomers center back Dean Huijsen (Spain) and right back Trent Alexander-Arnold (England) practiced Tuesday, and expected to make their club debuts Wednesday.
“They are top, top players, and they have an instant impact,” the new coach said.
Alonso is striving to renew Real Madrid’s commitment with hopes to find the ideal balance between defense and attacking so the club can raise trophies again.
Their first test is also against a club in transition: Al Hilal hired Simone Inzaghi after he led Inter Milan to the Champions League final where they lost to Paris Saint-Germain.
Al Hilal has won the most Saudi Pro League titles with 19, but finished second last season.
Brazilian standout Malcom and longtime captain Salem Al-Dawsari are their best players, while Serbian Aleksandar Mitrović is also well-known. Neymar left the club earlier this year after injuries limited him to seven matches in 17 months.
Real Madrid will also face CF Pachuca (Mexico) on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, and FC Salzburg (Austria) on June 26 in Philadelphia in Group H of the Club World Cup.
They’ll be a work in progress during this tournament. But the expectation is always clear.
“Real Madrid wants to win everything – so we want to win this, too,” Huijsen said.
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