Real Madrid Enter Kylian Mbappe For Intercontinental Cup Final

JAKARTA - Kylian Mbappe has been included in the Real Madrid squad for the 2024 Intercontinental Cup final.

The 25-year-old forward attended the team's training session on Monday, December 16, 2024, local time.

Los Blancos are scheduled to face Pachuca in the 2024 Intercontinental Cup final at the Lusail Stadium, Thursday, December 19, 2024, early morning WIB.

Before being confirmed to be in the squad for the party, Mbappe suffered a thigh injury when Real Madrid won 3-2 over Atalanta in the Champions League on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

A source told ESPN that he is expected to be out for about 10 days so his participation in the FIFA tournament is doubtful.

Mbappe was absent during Real Madrid's 3-3 draw against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Sunday, December 15, 2024, but took part in the next day's training.

On Monday, December 16, 2024, he completed part of Real Madrid's training sessions with his teammates and some of the other sessions trained alone.

He also joined a group of 24 players who flew to Doha, Qatar, for the match against Pachuca.

Mbappe has scored 12 goals in all for Real Madrid so far this season. However, he still faces criticism over his final finish and overall performance.

He impressed in Los Blancos' win at Atalanta, scoring the winner opener which was his 50th goal in the Champions League. However, he was later replaced in the 36th minute due to discomfort in his left thigh.

The 2024 Intercontinental Cup is a temporary replacement for the Club World Cup. You see, in the 2025 edition, the Club World Cup will roll again with a reshuffle of the format and expansion of the tournament.

The plan is that the FIFA tournament will take place in the United States next summer.

Real Madrid qualified for the 2024 Intercontinental Cup final after winning the 2023/2024 Champions League.

Meanwhile, Pachuca, winner of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup, defeated Botafogo (Brazil) in the second half. Then, the Mexican club beat Al Ahly (Egypt) on penalties in a playoffs for tickets to the final on Saturday, December 14, 2024.

The 2024 Intercontinental Cup will be Real Madrid's second chance to win trophies this season, having previously won the European Super Cup.

Apart from that, Los Blancos are now in third place in the 2024/2025 La Liga standings, one point behind leaders Barcelona.

However, their journey in the Champions League is somewhat less slick. Real Madrid are in 20th place in the standings with two group stage matches remaining.