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Alex Kirkland
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Rodrigo Faez
Dec 16, 2024, 06:30 AM ET
Kylian Mbappé has been named in Real Madrid‘s squad for their Intercontinental Cup final against Pachuca after taking part in the team’s training session on Monday.
Mbappé suffered a thigh injury in Madrid’s 3-2 Champions League win over Atalanta last Tuesday, with a source telling ESPN he was expected to be out for around 10 days, putting his participation in the FIFA tournament in doubt.
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The forward missed Madrid’s 3-3 draw at Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga on Saturday, but took some part in training on Monday morning and joins the travelling party flying to Doha, Qatar, for Wednesday’s game at Luhail Stadium.
The Intercontinental Cup used to be known as the Club World Cup before FIFA revamped and expanded that competition, which will take place in the United States next summer.
Madrid qualified for the Intercontinental final by winning the 2023-24 Champions League, while Pachuca, winners of the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, beat Brazil’s Botafogo in the second round, and Egypt’s Al Ahly on penalties in Saturday’s playoff.
Mbappé has scored 12 goals in all competitions for Madrid so far this season, but still faced criticism for his finishing and all-round performances.
He impressed in Madrid’s win at Atalanta, scoring the opening goal — his 50th in the Champions League — before being substituted in the 36th minute with a discomfort in his left thigh.
Kylian Mbappé could return against Pachuca in the Intercontinental Cup final on Wednesday. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
On Monday, he completed part of Madrid’s training session with his teammates, and another part of the session working alone, before being named in the club’s 24-man squad for the trip to Doha.
The Intercontinental Cup will be Madrid’s second chance at silverware this season, having already won the UEFA Super Cup.
They are third in LaLiga — a point behind leaders Barcelona, despite an up-and-down campaign — and 20th in the Champions League table.
