Mbappe Set for Reunion with PSG as Real Madrid Target Club World Cup Final
AFP | East Rutherford
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Real’s new era faces biggest test yet as Mbappe aims to prove a point against former club
đš Mbappe to face PSG for the first time
đš Legal dispute over €55M unpaid wages ongoing
đš Missed group stage due to illness
Kylian Mbappe will take on Paris Saint-Germain for the first time since leaving the club as Real Madrid prepare for a high-stakes Club World Cup semi-final clash on Wednesday.
The match marks a significant moment for both Mbappe and Real Madrid. Mbappe, who joined Real in 2024 after a seven-year spell at PSG, left as their all-time leading scorer with 256 goals in 308 appearances. However, his legacy in Paris remains clouded by the nature of his exit—running down his contract to leave on a free transfer, which upset PSG’s Qatari leadership.
Legal Battle Lingers
Tensions between Mbappe and PSG remain unresolved, with the French star claiming he is owed €55 million ($64.4 million) in unpaid wages and bonuses. Most recently, Mbappe dropped a legal complaint of moral harassment against PSG, which had sparked an official investigation by the Paris prosecutor’s office.
He alleges PSG isolated him during the 2023 preseason, forcing him to train with transfer-listed players after he declined to sign a contract extension. He missed the club's Japan tour and the start of the new season before being reintegrated into Luis Enrique’s squad.
Stellar Season at Real Madrid
Since joining Real Madrid, Mbappe has thrived. The 2018 World Cup winner scored 43 goals in 56 appearances across all competitions, making a major impact in his debut La Liga season.
Yet, at the Club World Cup, he has faced challenges. A stomach virus sidelined him during the group stage, with youngster Gonzalo Garcia stepping up, scoring four goals in five matches.
Mbappe made his return in the quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund, coming off the bench to score a spectacular stoppage-time overhead kick, sealing a 3-2 victory at MetLife Stadium.
“He’s not yet 100%, but he’s improving every day,” said Real coach Xabi Alonso.
“He has three more days to get fully ready for the semi-final.”
A Grudge Match with PSG
PSG, meanwhile, are in top form. Fresh off a 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the Champions League final, they defeated Bayern Munich 2-0 in the Club World Cup quarter-finals—despite red cards to Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez.
Mbappe’s former team, led by Luis Enrique, finally broke their European curse just one season after his departure. Enrique, a former Real Madrid player himself, downplayed the opponent:
“It doesn’t matter who we face—we’re here to reach the final.”
Real Madrid’s new manager Xabi Alonso, who recently moved from Bayer Leverkusen, has impressed with tactical versatility, frequently switching between formations. Wednesday’s match against PSG could be his toughest test yet.
All eyes now turn to whether Mbappe will start—and how he’ll perform against the club that shaped his legend and controversy.
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