Real Madrid kick off their Club World Cup campaign against Saudi giants Al-Hilal, but Kylian Mbappe will not feature in the starting XI due to illness. Despite a stunning debut season with 43 goals, the French forward was sidelined after missing training, leaving fans surprised ahead of Wednesday’s Group H clash in Miami.
Gonzalo Garcia, a 21-year-old academy graduate, steps into Mbappe’s place in the forward line. With only six senior appearances to his name, Garcia gets his biggest opportunity yet, joining Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo in attack. The young striker impressed last season with 25 goals for Real Madrid Castilla.
Simone Inzaghi takes charge of Al-Hilal for the first time, just weeks after departing Inter Milan. He expressed optimism despite the limited time to implement his tactics, highlighting the blend of local and international talent in his squad. Unfortunately, they’ll be without Aleksandar Mitrovic due to injury.
Madrid’s lineup also features new recruits Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen, who start as part of Xabi Alonso’s fresh tactical setup. The new manager, appointed in the summer, enters his first competitive match hoping to steer Los Blancos toward more silverware after a transformative transfer window.
Mbappe’s absence stems from a fever that kept him out of Tuesday’s training session. Alonso chose not to risk his star man and left the door open for a late call, but ultimately decided to go without him in the starting team.
The Real Madrid squad for the clash reads: Courtois, Trent, Asencio, Huijsen, Garcia, Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Gonzalo, and Vinicius Jr.
Al-Hilal, champions of the Saudi Pro League last season, now look to make a statement under new leadership, though they enter the game as underdogs. Inzaghi, while acknowledging the challenges, remains hopeful about the performance of his restructured side.
The Club World Cup encounter marks a significant moment for both managers—Alonso and Inzaghi—each beginning new chapters with major clubs, aiming to leave an immediate mark on the international stage.