Big news in the soccer world! Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso says superstar player Kylian Mbappé is feeling “better” just before their exciting Club World Cup quarter-final match against Borussia Dortmund this Saturday. However, Alonso hasn’t confirmed whether Mbappé will start the game.
Mbappé Is Back — Maybe
Kylian Mbappé, who is known as one of the fastest and most skillful players in the world, missed the first three games of the tournament because he was dealing with a stomach illness. Fans were worried he might not be ready to play, but he finally returned to action in Real Madrid’s last game. He came off the bench to help his team beat Juventus 1-0 and reach the quarter-finals.
Even though Mbappé didn’t start, just seeing him on the field gave Real Madrid fans a huge boost of confidence. His return could mean big things for Real Madrid as they chase another trophy.
Soccer Fact: Kylian Mbappé won the FIFA World Cup with France in 2018 when he was only 19 years old. He became the second teenager ever to score in a World Cup final — the first was Pelé in 1958!
Gonzalo Garcia Steps Up
While Mbappé was out sick, 21-year-old Gonzalo Garcia got the chance to lead Real Madrid’s attack. And guess what? He did an awesome job! Gonzalo has played in all four games so far and has already scored three goals in the tournament.
Coach Alonso had some kind words about the young striker. He said that even if Mbappé is ready to start, that doesn’t mean Gonzalo has to sit on the bench.
“They can play together,” Alonso explained. “It depends on the moment and what the team needs. They actually work well together.” That’s exciting because it means Real Madrid might be planning to play both attackers at the same time.
⚽ Soccer Fact: Real Madrid is one of the most successful soccer clubs in history. They have won the UEFA Champions League a record 15 times!
Coach Alonso Keeping Plans Secret
Xabi Alonso also said that he wants his players to hear the starting lineup first before he tells the media. That’s fair—he doesn’t want to give away any surprises to Dortmund before the big game.
Alonso is a former star midfielder who played for Spain and won both the World Cup (2010) and European Championship (2008 and 2012). He used to play for Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich, so he knows what it takes to win at the highest level. Now, as a coach, he’s trying to bring that same winning spirit to Real Madrid.
Soccer Fact: Xabi Alonso coached Bayer Leverkusen in Germany before taking over at Real Madrid. He helped Leverkusen win their first-ever Bundesliga title in 2024!
Rodrygo Waiting for His Moment
Another player fans are wondering about is Rodrygo, the Brazilian winger. So far, he hasn’t had a big role in the tournament, and when he has played, he hasn’t made a big impact. Still, Coach Alonso says Rodrygo has a good attitude.
“I spoke with him yesterday,” Alonso said. “He’s positive, and he’s ready to help when needed.”
That’s important because soccer teams need every player to be focused and ready, even if they’re not starting every game.
Young Star Arda Guler Impressing
One player who is definitely making the most of his chances is Arda Guler, a 20-year-old midfielder. Last season, he didn’t get much playing time under Real Madrid’s old coach, Carlo Ancelotti. But Alonso sees big potential in him.
“It’s time to invest in Arda,” Alonso said. “We’ll help him grow and learn, even if he makes mistakes. That’s part of the process.”
Soccer Fact: Arda Guler is from Turkey, and he’s known for his creativity and long-range shots. He’s already being called “the Turkish Messi” by some fans!
A Big Rematch Against Dortmund
Saturday’s match will be extra exciting because it’s a rematch of the 2024 UEFA Champions League final, where Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley Stadium in London. Dortmund would love to get revenge for that loss!
Even though they lost that big final, Dortmund still know a lot about how Alonso coaches. When he was in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen, Dortmund faced his team several times in the Bundesliga. Their coach, Niko Kovac, says that you can already see Alonso’s playing style at Real Madrid.
“He’s using the same formation,” Kovac said, “but the players at Madrid have more quality.”
Soccer Fact: The Club World Cup brings together top clubs from different continents. Teams from Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, North America, and Oceania all compete for the title.
Dortmund Are Feeling Confident
Dortmund’s journey in the Club World Cup started with a tough 0-0 draw against Fluminense, a top Brazilian team, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Now they’re back at the same stadium for the quarter-final and are hoping to go even further in the tournament.
“When we started, we didn’t know how far we could go,” Coach Kovac admitted. “But now we’re excited and ready. We believe we can reach the next round.”
Fluminense showed their strength by beating Al-Hilal 2-1 to make it to the semi-finals. That gives Dortmund hope too. After all, they’ve only lost once in their last 14 matches, and that was against Barcelona in the Champions League.
Soccer Fact: MetLife Stadium, where the match is being played, is located in New Jersey, just outside New York City. It can hold over 82,000 fans and will host games during the 2026 FIFA World Cup!
What’s Next?
Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund will battle it out in front of thousands of fans in the U.S., with a spot in the Club World Cup semi-finals on the line. Whether Mbappé starts or not, it’s sure to be an exciting match filled with drama, goals, and young talent.
Both teams have strong lineups and passionate coaches. Real Madrid are favorites, but Dortmund believe they can pull off an upset.
So, soccer fans—get ready! Saturday’s match could be one to remember.
