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Mbappe returned to team training on Thursday after recovery from a gastroenteritis but wasn’t part of Los Blancos’ 3-0 win over RB Salzburg in Madrid’s final Group stage game.
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso walks off the pitch at halftime during the Club World Cup group H soccer match between Real Madrid and Al Hilal in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso hoped to have star forward Kylian Mbappe back for the Spanish heavyweight’s FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16 encounter against Juventus, slated to be held at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, USA on the 2nd of July.
Mbappe returned to Real Madrid team training on Thursday after recovery from an acute case of gastroenteritis but wasn’t part of Los Blancos’ 3-0 win over RB Salzburg in Madrid’s final Group stage game.
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“I don’t want to be optimistic and get ahead of myself, but we need him because he’s a top player, one of the best in the world,” Alonso, who replaced former boss Carlo Ancelotti at the helm of the Spanish Capital City club said when quizzed about the French World Cup winner.
“We hope he’s back soon,” the 43-year-old Spanish gaffer said.
“We need him and we want him back as soon as possible and in the best possible condition,” Alonso added.
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Real Madrid topped Group H with seven points to their name in three outings as they posted back-to-back win over Pachucha and Salzbur afte having opened the tournament with a draw against Al Hilal.
Gonzalo Garcia gave Madrid an early lead in their opener against the Saudi Arabian side, but a goal from Ruben Neves ensured Al Hilal held on for a draw. Despite an early red card for Raul Asencio, Real Madrid secured a win in their second match with goals from Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler, and Federico Valverde, making Elias Montiel’s goal for Pachuca merely a consolation.
Bellingham opened the scoring in the 35th minute before Turkish youngster Guler extended the Spanish capital side’s lead. Valverde added a third for Real Madrid, with Montiel scoring for the Mexican team ten minutes before the final whistle.
Real closed out their league phase assignments with a win over Austrian side Salzburg as Vinicius Junior put his side ahead in the 40th minute beore Valverde doubled the lead. Garcia put the result beyond any doubt with his strike six minutes from time to send Madrid to the top of the table.
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