Real Madrid and PSG Clash in Club World Cup Semifinal with Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe will face his former club Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semifinal, marking his first encounter against PSG since his free transfer to Real Madrid in June 2024, a move that ended a lengthy transfer saga and sparked a bitter legal dispute over unpaid wages. Despite missing the group stage games due to gastroenteritis and subsequent hospitalization causing significant weight loss, Mbappe has shown flashes of brilliance and is now demanding his place in the starting lineup as Real Madrid prepares for the high-stakes match. PSG, under coach Luis Enrique, recently secured a historic treble and aims to complete a quadruple with their first Club World Cup win, while Real Madrid seeks their sixth title and first under the current format. Real Madrid's coach Xabi Alonso has managed Mbappe's return carefully, prioritizing his health and balancing team dynamics, with the French striker competing for time against standout academy player Gonzalo Garcia. The match is emotionally charged, given Mbappe’s complicated exit from PSG and the irony of PSG winning the Champions League after his departure, with the semifinal viewed as a decisive contest before the final against Chelsea. Suspensions affect both teams, with Dean Huijsen out for Real Madrid and William Pacho and Lucas Hernandez suspended for PSG, adding another layer of tactical challenge.