Kylian Mbappé Still Sidelined for Real Madrid Ahead of Club World Cup
Real Madrid's star signing Kylian Mbappé remains unavailable for selection as the Club World Cup approaches, raising questions about his debut timeline with the Spanish giants.
The 26-year-old French superstar completed his long-awaited move to Madrid this summer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, but fans will have to wait longer to see him in action. Mbappé continues to recover from an undisclosed physical issue that has kept him out of preseason preparations.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti addressed the situation in Friday's press conference: "Kylian is working hard with our medical team. We won't rush his return - when he's ready, he'll play. We have a long season ahead."
This means Mbappé will miss Madrid's opening Club World Cup match against Al-Hilal on July 4. The tournament in the United States (hosted across East Rutherford, Philadelphia and Charlotte) represents Madrid's first competitive fixtures of the 2025-26 campaign.
Medical sources at the club suggest Mbappé's absence is precautionary rather than due to any serious injury. The forward reportedly arrived in Madrid needing additional conditioning after an extended break following Euro 2024 with France.
Mbappé's delayed debut comes as:
- Madrid begins defence of their Champions League title
- The club integrates several new signings
- Pressure builds to deliver immediate results after his €180 million signing
The French captain's last competitive match was France's Euro 2024 quarterfinal exit on June 30. While not officially injured, Madrid's medical staff wants to ensure he reaches optimal fitness before debuting.
Ancelotti hinted Mbappé could make his first appearance during Madrid's U.S. tour in late July, with El Clásico against Barcelona on July 29 a potential target date.
Fans have expressed frustration on social media about the wait to see their new star, with one supporter tweeting: "We waited years for this transfer and now we have to wait more weeks to see him play."
Madrid begins their La Liga season on August 16 against Mallorca, which now appears the most likely date for Mbappé's competitive debut if his recovery stays on track.
The club's cautious approach reflects lessons learned from Eden Hazard's injury-plagued tenure, preferring to ensure Mbappé is fully prepared for the demands of Spanish football before throwing him into action.