Too soon to say if Mbappe will start against Dortmund, Alonso says

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FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Round of 16 - Real Madrid v Juventus - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, U.S. - July 1, 2025 Real Madrids Kylian Mbappe is pictured on the substitutes bench before the match REUTERS/Hannah Mckay/File Photo

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey - It is too soon to say whether Kylian Mbappe will start in Real Madrids Club World Cup quarter-final match against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, coach Xabi Alonso said, as the French forward continues his recovery from gastroenteritis.

Mbappe made his tournament debut on Tuesday as Real Madrid edged Juventus 1-0 to reach the quarter-finals after missing all of the group stage.

Hes getting better. Hes been improving over the last three days, Alonso told reporters at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Friday. Tomorrow morning we will be deciding if he will be part of the initial 11.

Mbappe came off the bench as a substitute in the second half of the Spanish sides 1-0 win over Juventus in Miami on Tuesday, earning wild applause in a scene that underscored his global appeal at the U.S.-hosted tournament.

Mbappe was briefly hospitalised early in the tournament, isolated from his teammates as he recovered.

Alonsos team have leaned on Gonzalo Garcia to deputise in his absence, as the 21-year-old academy graduate has recorded three goals - including Tuesdays winner - and