Kylian Mbappé Ruled Out of Final Group Game
The European Golden Boot winner has yet to make an appearance in this year's FIFA Club World Cup.
Real Madrid announced the squad list for the final group stage game against FC Salzburg on its social media Wednesday afternoon. Missing from it is French star forward Kylian Mbappé.
Hospitalized
Mbappé was hospitalized after being diagnosed with gastroenteritis before Real Madrid’s first group stage game against Al Hilal. The illness resulted in the 26 year old losing five kgs (11 lbs).
There was hope that the Frenchman could play in the last game of the group stage against FC Salzburg, but now Madrid has to earn qualification into the knockout rounds without him.
A New Hope
Mbappé has yet to make an appearance under Los Blancos’ new head coach Xabi Alonso. The former Bayer Leverkusen manager has had to put his faith in 21-year-old Castilla forward Gonzalo García.
García has repaid his managers faith with a goal in the opening game and an assist against Pachuca. There were rumors of Los Merengues looking for a back up striker this summer, but it seems La Fábrica has already developed one for the first team.
Bad Blood
Something to keep an eye on is whether or not Rodrygo plays for Los Blancos tonight. The 24 year old did not make an appearance against Pachuca.
He was replaced by Turkish starlet Arda Güler who had an amazing performance against the Mexican side earning a goal. Güler, 20, also did well coming off the bench against Al Hilal bringing a new attacking edge to the game that Madrid was missing.
With Franco Mastantuono coming in and Güler seen as the future, it doesn’t look like Rodrygo will get the love he feels he deserves this upcoming season. As the days continue to pass, it seems his departure is imminent.