Kylian Mbappe has been excluded from Real Madrid’s squad for their final Club World Cup group match against Red Bull Salzburg, despite returning to training after a bout of illness. The French forward was not included in the list of 23 players selected for the fixture in Philadelphia, a key game in which both teams are vying for a spot in the round of 16.
Mbappe’s absence comes even though he resumed training just a day before the squad list was finalized. He had been sidelined with gastroenteritis, which required hospital treatment last week. Following his release from hospital, he missed Real Madrid’s first two matches in the tournament held in the United States.
The star forward was not involved in the 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal in Miami or the 3-1 victory over Pachuca over the weekend. However, his return to training on Wednesday had initially raised hopes that he might be fit enough to feature in the final group stage clash.
Real Madrid trained at their base in Florida before making their way to Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon. Training images released by the club showed Mbappe participating alongside his teammates, signaling progress in his recovery. Nonetheless, the coaching staff ultimately opted to give him more time to regain full fitness.
This strategic decision likely reflects the club’s desire to avoid any risk of aggravating Mbappe’s condition before the knockout stages. With the tournament moving into a critical phase, Madrid are aiming to ensure that their marquee forward is fully fit for the more demanding fixtures ahead.
Madrid currently top Group H and a win against Salzburg would guarantee them the top spot and secure passage to the round of 16. Even a draw would be enough to see them through, though it could affect the seeding and determine their next opponent. Manchester City and Juventus are among the possible teams they could face in the knockout round.
The match will take place at Lincoln Financial Field, with both teams aware of the stakes involved. For Real Madrid, the absence of Mbappe adds a layer of challenge, but the team will be confident given their strong performance against Pachuca.
The decision to rest Mbappe may prove prudent as the competition progresses, with the Spanish giants focused on advancing deep into the tournament while managing the health and readiness of their key players.
