Real Madrid faces a potential challenge against Al Hilal in the Club World Cup as uncertainties loom over Mbappé’s availability

As Real Madrid prepares to kick off their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup campaign in Florida, all eyes are on Xabi Alonso, the club’s new head coach. Alonso, known for his successful stint at Bayer Leverkusen, returns to Madrid, where he once played 246 matches. Now, he steps into a leadership role at the club, facing significant challenges.

The team is dealing with a series of injuries that have limited Alonso’s options. Key players such as Rüdiger, Carvajal, Militao, Mendy, Alaba, and Camavinga are unavailable. Despite these setbacks, Alonso must quickly implement his tactical vision for the squad, which includes debutants Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen.

A major concern is the uncertain availability of Kylian Mbappé. The French star recently missed a training session due to a fever and was advised to rest, even skipping the official FIFA photo session. Madrid’s staff have emphasized that Mbappé will not be risked if he is not fully fit.

This match marks the second official encounter between Real Madrid and Al Hilal. Their last meeting was in the 2022 Club World Cup final, where Madrid emerged victorious with a 5–3 win. Key players from that match, including Vinícius Jr., Valverde, and Tchouaméni, are expected to feature again.

For Real Madrid, the projected lineup includes Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Huijsen, Fran García, Tchouaméni, Valverde, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Vinícius Jr., and either Mbappé or Brahim Díaz. Al Hilal’s lineup features Bono, Cancelo, Koulibaly, Al Bulayhi, Renan Lodi, Rúben Neves, Milinković-Savić, Leonardo, Malcom, Al-Dawsari, and Mitrović.

This tournament is particularly significant for Luka Modrić, as it is likely his final appearance in a Madrid shirt. Despite the challenges, the team remains focused on their goal of achieving success in the tournament.