Real Madrid Alonso Hopes For Mbappe Return Against Juventus

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has expressed cautious optimism about the availability of star forward Kylian Mbappé for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup round of 16 match against Juventus in Miami. Mbappé has missed all three group stage games due to acute gastroenteritis but has returned to training, though it remains uncertain if he will play. Alonso emphasized the importance of Mbappé to the team, calling him one of the best players in the world and hoping he returns in the best possible condition. Despite Mbappé's absence, Real Madrid topped Group H and secured a spot in the knockout phase following a 3-0 win over RB Salzburg. The tournament, held in the United States, is aiming to become a major event in world football, with stars like Mbappé, Lionel Messi, and Erling Haaland as key attractions, although Mbappé has also been in the news for filing a moral harassment case against his former club PSG. The uncertainty about Mbappé's fitness is a challenge for Madrid's bid to win the expanded Club World Cup trophy.