Kylian Mbappé still hasn’t made his debut in the FIFA Club World Cup with Real Madrid, and he won’t be on the pitch this Thursday either against Red Bull Salzburg. Speaking in a pre-match press conference at Lincoln Financial Field, coach Xabi Alonso explained that the French striker is still not fully recovered, even though he has rejoined team training this week.

“Just seeing him training is already a positive step, but it was his first day running after the virus. He’s not strong enough to compete at the level we require,” said the Spanish coach. Mbappé, suffering from an acute gastroenteritis, has lost weight and physical condition, so both the coaching staff and the player agreed not to rush his return.

"Mbappé needs time": Real Madrid’s recovery plan

The decision to leave Mbappé out is part of a broader strategy to have him fit for the knockout stages, should the team advance. “We’d rather have him fully recovered and not take risks right now,” said Xabi Alonso, who also stressed that the main goal is to finish top of Group H. However, he acknowledged that finishing first might mean facing a tougher Round of 16 opponent, possibly Manchester City, led by Pep Guardiola.

On the tactical side, Alonso praised young defender Dean Huijsen, who has impressed the coaching staff with his personality and quality. “He earns respect, he has talent, and he’s a great addition to the team,” he said.

He also confirmed his confidence in Rodrygo, despite the Brazilian not playing any minutes in the previous match against Pachuca: “He remains a very important player for us. It was a tactical decision, but we will need him in this tournament.”

Fede Valverde, Brahim Díaz, and rising talent Franco Mastantuono are also part of the rotation on the right wing—an area Alonso considers crucial in what he described as a demanding season. “We’re looking at 50 or 60 matches this year. We’ll need everyone,” he noted.

Finally, Xabi Alonso emphasized the importance of this tournament as a true test of international competitiveness. “This is not preseason—it’s a real competition. And we’re here to win it.”