Kylian Mbappe is set for an emotional and highly anticipated clash against his former club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), as Real Madrid prepares to face the French giants in the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup on Wednesday.
This will be Mbappe’s first encounter with PSG since his dramatic free transfer to Real Madrid in 2024, following a record-breaking seven-year spell in Paris where he scored 256 goals. The match marks not only a sporting reunion but also the continuation of a tense off-field saga, as his departure sparked legal disputes and strained relations with the PSG hierarchy.
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, overseeing his first major tournament at the helm, confirmed that while Mbappe is not yet fully fit following a recent illness, he is expected to make his first start of the competition. The French superstar came off the bench in the quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund and scored a sensational overhead kick to help Madrid secure a narrow 3-2 win.
“He’s still not 100 percent, but improving every day,” Alonso said ahead of the semi-final showdown.
Mbappe has hit the ground running in his debut season with Los Blancos, scoring 43 goals in 56 matches, further solidifying his status as one of football’s elite talents.
Meanwhile, PSG arrives in the last four after a dominant 2-0 win over Bayern Munich, despite finishing the game with only nine players. The French champions, led by former Real Madrid player and current head coach Luis Enrique, are chasing their first Club World Cup title.
Enrique played down the narrative surrounding Mbappe and the opposition. “It doesn’t matter who we play in the semi-finals. What matters is that we are here, and we want to reach the final,” he stated.
As both European powerhouses target a spot in Sunday’s final where Chelsea awaits after defeating Fluminense, the semi-final promises fireworks. With personal pride, legacy, and continental bragging rights on the line, the matchup could become a defining chapter in the growing rivalry between two of the biggest clubs in world football.
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