Kylian Mbappe is poised to face his former club Paris Saint-Germain for the first time since his high-profile move to Real Madrid as both sides prepare for a blockbuster semi-final at the FIFA Club World Cup on Wednesday.
Mbappe, who departed PSG in 2024 after seven prolific years and a record 256 goals, is expected to make his first start of the tournament following a bout of illness. His return comes after scoring a decisive overhead kick off the bench in Madrid’s 3-2 quarter-final victory over Borussia Dortmund.
“He is still not perfect, not 100 percent, but he is getting better every day,” said Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, who is managing his first major tournament with Los Blancos.
The semi-final marks a dramatic reunion, as Mbappe left PSG without a transfer fee, prompting a bitter fallout and legal battles. Despite the off-field tensions, the French captain has excelled in his debut season at Madrid, netting 43 goals in 56 appearances.
PSG, the reigning UEFA Champions League winners, reached the last four with a commanding 2-0 win over Bayern Munich despite being reduced to nine men. Their coach Luis Enrique, who once played for Real Madrid, dismissed the significance of the opponent.
“It doesn’t matter who we play in the semi-finals. All that matters is that we are there and that we want to get to the final,” Enrique said.
With both teams eyeing a place in Sunday’s final, the clash promises to be a defining chapter in the evolving rivalry between Europe’s elite clubs.
