Will Kylian Mbappe Start Against Juventus In the Club World Cup?

Kylian Mbappe has been a major absentee for Real Madrid at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the USA. He didn't play a single minute in their group stages campaign, with Xabi Alonso yet to get the opportunity to test Mbappe in his new system with Los Blancos. With Real Madrid set to face off against Serie A giants Juventus in the Round of 16, there is now an encouraging update on Mbappe's fitness levels and the possibility of fans in the USA getting to see him in action at the Club World Cup. The major question is, will Mbappe play against Juventus?

Will Mbappe Start Against Juventus?

The reason for Mbappe's absence at the FIFA Club World Cup group stages is that he started suffering from a very bad case of stomach flu that even forced him to be hospitalized. The Frenchman reportedly ended up losing 5 KG in weight and really struggled with the infection, causing him to miss all the group games for Xabi Alonso's side. Will Mbappe play in Real Madrid vs Juventus?

However, it's now being reported that Mbappe is back to full fitness after having recently returned to the first team training for Real Madrid. Xabi Alonso also claimed ahead of the Juventus clash that the French forward is now doing well and there is a big possibility that he will be featured in the Round of 16 clash against Juventus. There is also a chance that Mbappe will be in the Real Madrid starting XI for the game, but a decision on that will be taken before the game.

The France international has not been able to test his skills in Alonso's system yet after being unable to play at the Club World Cup group stages. As a result, the Spanish manager has been forced to play youngster Gonzalo Garcia as the centre-forward in the group games, with the young forward scoring a goal and providing multiple assists at the Club World Cup group stages to prove himself a viable alternative for Mbappe.

How Has Kylian Mbappe Performed At Real Madrid So Far?

Kylian Mbappe had quite an eventful debut campaign for Real Madrid since joining them as a free agent in the 2024 summer transfer window. The 26-year-old forward helped Real Madrid win the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup titles in his first season, but he couldn't guide them to any domestic or UEFA Champions League titles. Real Madrid came short to Barcelona in the La Liga and Copa del Rey titles and were eliminated in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Irrespective, Mbappe had a prolific personal campaign in terms of banging in the goals. He won the La Liga Golden Boot with 31 goals in the league and scored an overall 43 goals across all competitions in the 2024/25 season. The Frenchman now has a major opportunity to add to his goal tally in the knockout stages of the Club World Cup and also help Real Madrid win a major trophy. Mbappe will be pushing to start against the Bianconeri and prove his value to Xabi Alonso's system by scoring vital goals and taking Real Madrid a step closer to FIFA Club World Cup glory.