MIAMI — Real Madrid may be without Kylian Mbappe for their Club World Cup opener against Al Hilal, as the star forward missed training due to illness. Head coach Xabi Alonso, making his managerial debut with the team, said a final decision will be made on match day.

Alonso also hinted that key players Antonio Rudiger and Eduardo Camavinga are likely to miss the match but are recovering well. Al Hilal, now coached by Simone Inzaghi, adds unpredictability to the game, as this will be his first match in charge.

Alonso stressed the importance of self-belief and team spirit as Madrid prepares to face a tough opponent. He also praised new signing Trent Alexander-Arnold’s versatility, while highlighting the consistent competitiveness of Dani Carvajal.

Speaking about Jude Bellingham, Alonso believes the Englishman is more effective in central midfield due to his ability to cover ground and influence play. He also shared his admiration for Luka Modric, calling it a "luxury" to coach the veteran midfielder in his final weeks at the club.