Kylian Mbappe set for high-stakes reunion as Real Madrid face PSG in Club World Cup semifinal
By
SABC Sport
9th July 2025
As Real Madrid prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in a blockbuster FIFA Club World Cup semifinal on Wednesday, the spotlight has inevitably shifted to Kylian Mbappe - the former PSG talisman now wearing white in Madrid.
It marks the first time Mbappe could face his former club since departing in June 2024 after seven seasons, 256 goals, and a long-running transfer saga that ended with a free move to the Spanish capital. His return to the spotlight is amplified by recent legal tensions with PSG, further raising the stakes for an already high-profile clash.
Mbappe had filed a legal complaint against PSG in June, claiming 61 million dollars in unpaid wages and accusing the club of "moral harassment." However, just 36 hours before the semifinal, multiple sources confirmed the case has been dropped - clearing a major off-field distraction, at least for now.
Whether Mbappe starts remains unclear. After being hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis earlier in the tournament, he has featured only as a substitute in two matches, including scoring the decisive third goal against Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals.
Even with Mbappe available, manager Xabi Alonso faces a welcome dilemma. Young forward Gonzalo Garcia has been one of the breakout stars of the tournament, contributing four goals and an assist - the highest total goal involvement among all players.
"He's doing great work for the team," Alonso said on DAZN. "He's a proper No. 9 and is exactly where we need him in the box."
Real Madrid qualified for the semifinals after advancing from Group H and dispatching Juventus (1-0) and Dortmund (3-2) in the knockout stages.
PSG, meanwhile, have been the tournament's most consistent side. After a commanding group stage, they eliminated Inter Miami and Bayern Munich with a combined 6-0 scoreline. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has led a defensive unit that has kept four clean sheets and conceded just once.
Paris will be without defenders Lucas Hernandez and Willian Pacho, both serving suspensions after red cards in the quarterfinal. Despite the defensive absences, PSG remain confident heading into their first Club World Cup semifinal.
Achraf Hakimi, who played alongside Mbappe at PSG and remains a close friend, acknowledged the personal stakes but emphasized professionalism.
"We've shared a lot of moments together, but I'm here to defend my club's colors," Hakimi said. "That's all that matters on the pitch."
The winner of PSG vs. Real Madrid will face either Chelsea or Fluminense in Sunday's final.
A PSG victory would mark a second major title in as many years following their Champions League triumph over Inter Milan. For Real Madrid, it would be a chance to reassert dominance on the global stage - with or without Mbappe in the starting XI.
Regardless of how the lineups shake out, the narrative writes itself: a high-stakes meeting between two European giants, with a former superstar caught squarely in the middle.
