Mbappe Absent from Real Madrid Squad for Salzburg Club World Cup Clash

Kylian Mbappe is back in training for Real Madrid after illness. Josep LAGO / AFP
Kylian Mbappe is back in training for Real Madrid after illness. Josep LAGO / AFP
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Mbappe Absent from Real Madrid Squad for Salzburg Club World Cup Clash

Kylian Mbappe is back in training for Real Madrid after illness. Josep LAGO / AFP
Kylian Mbappe is back in training for Real Madrid after illness. Josep LAGO / AFP

Kylian Mbappe has been left out of the Real Madrid squad for Thursday's final Club World Cup group game against Red Bull Salzburg, despite returning to training following illness.

The French superstar did not feature in the list of 23 players named by coach Xabi Alonso and published by the club for the match in Philadelphia, in which the two teams are targeting a place in the last 16.

Mbappe had returned to training on Wednesday after missing Real's first two matches at the tournament in the United States due to illness.

He was taken to hospital last Thursday for tests and treatment after suffering gastroenteritis, before later being released.

He played no part in Real's opening game, a 1-1 draw with Saudi side Al-Hilal in Miami, or the 3-1 defeat of Mexico's Pachuca at the weekend.

Alonso did indicate after the latter game that Mbappe was on the mend, saying: "He is doing better, he is recovering."

Real posted images of Mbappe in training on Wednesday on their website, as the squad worked out at their Florida base before travelling north in the afternoon to Philadelphia.

It is there, at Lincoln Financial Field, where Madrid will take on the Austrians in their final Group H match and will be looking for a victory which will confirm their progress to the last 16 in first place in the section.

A draw can also take them through to the next round, with Manchester City and Juventus the possible opponents in the last 16.

Mbappe has scored 43 goals in 56 appearances since joining Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain last year. His last game was for France in a 2-0 win away to Germany in the UEFA Nations League on June 8.



Al Hilal Stuns Manchester City 4-3 in Club World Cup

Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Round of 16 - Manchester City v Al Hilal - Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida, US - June 30, 2025 Al Hilal's Marcos Leonardo scores their fourth goal with teammates REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Round of 16 - Manchester City v Al Hilal - Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida, US - June 30, 2025 Al Hilal's Marcos Leonardo scores their fourth goal with teammates REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
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Al Hilal Stuns Manchester City 4-3 in Club World Cup

Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Round of 16 - Manchester City v Al Hilal - Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida, US - June 30, 2025 Al Hilal's Marcos Leonardo scores their fourth goal with teammates REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Round of 16 - Manchester City v Al Hilal - Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida, US - June 30, 2025 Al Hilal's Marcos Leonardo scores their fourth goal with teammates REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Marcos Leonardo scored his second goal on a rebound in the 112th minute, and Al Hilal stunned Manchester City 4-3 on Monday night, eliminating the Premier League power from the Club World Cup in the round of 16.

In a back-and-forth thriller at Camping World Stadium, the Saudi Arabian club took the lead three times, including twice in extra time, The Associated Press reported. Kalidou Koulibaly put Al Hilal ahead 3-2 in the 94th minute, but Phil Foden — who entered as a substitute four minutes earlier — equalized in the 104th.

Leonardo finally put Man City away. Goalkeeper Ederson saved a header by Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from inside the penalty box and the ball deflected to Leonardo, who redirected it with his right foot as he fell to the pitch near the left post.

Al Hilal moves on to face Fluminense of Brazil, which took down another European power, Inter Milan, earlier Tuesday.

Leonardo also scored in the 46th minute to even the match at 1-1.

Bernardo Silvan opened the scoring in the ninth minute for Man City. Malcom put Al Hilal ahead in the 52nd, and Erling Haaland found the net in the 55th to make it 2-2.

Key moment Manchester City nearly won it regulation in the final seconds of added time on a counterattack that was thwarted by a hard challenge. Referees did not call a penalty, and Man City coach Pep Guardiola ran onto the field to argue the decision after the whistle.

Al Hilal will face Fluminense on July 4 at Camping World Stadium for a spot in the semifinals.

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