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Kylian Mbappe has been omitted from Real Madrid’s squad for Thursday’s crucial Club World Cup group match against Red Bull Salzburg, despite having returned to training after an illness. The French forward was not included in the 23-man squad announced by coach Xabi Alonso for the fixture in Philadelphia, where both teams are vying for a spot in the tournament’s last 16.
Mbappé resumed training on Wednesday after sitting out Real Madrid’s opening two matches in the US tournament due to gastroenteritis. He was hospitalised last Thursday for tests and treatment but was discharged shortly afterwards.
He missed the 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal in Miami and the 3-1 victory over Mexico’s Pachuca at the weekend.
Following the win over Pachuca, Alonso noted that Mbappe was recovering well, stating: “He is doing better, he is recovering.”
Real Madrid shared images of Mbappé training on Wednesday on their official website, as the squad prepared at their Florida base before travelling to Philadelphia later that day.
The match will take place at Lincoln Financial Field, where Madrid will face the Austrian side in their final Group H encounter. A win would secure their progression to the last 16 as group winners.
A draw would also be enough to see them advance, with potential opponents in the knockout round including Manchester City or Juventus.
Since joining Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain last year, Mbappé has scored 43 goals in 56 appearances. His most recent match was for France in a 2-0 UEFA Nations League victory against Germany on 8 June.
