Real Madrid and Xabi Alonso are close to finalizing their starting XI for the Club World Cup round of 16 showdown, and all signs point to one key decision: start Kylian Mbappé, fresh and eager, or save him to shake things up later. The Madrid boss is weighing risk against reward.

Xabi Alonso’s big dilemma

The Basque coach is facing a delicate decision. Mbappé, now recovered from gastroenteritis, has trained normally and looks ready to feature after missing the group stage. But he’s still not at 100%, and as the saying goes, "better late than never." Gonzalo García performed well against Salzburg, which opens the door for Alonso to keep him in the XI and unleash Mbappé as an impact sub.

What do the names tell us?

There’s good news from the squad list: along with Mbappé, both Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão return after long injuries. Tchouaméni and Huijsen have impressed at the back, so the defensive line is expected to remain unchanged. In midfield, the balance looks solid with Arda Güler, Federico Valverde, and Jude Bellingham pulling the strings. Up front, Vinícius Jr. is locked in to start. The biggest question remains: stick with Gonzalo García, or hand the keys to Mbappé?

The tactical shift at stake

Everything changes with Mbappé in the starting lineup. His pace and explosiveness free up Vinícius, and open up spaces for Bellingham and Güler to attack centrally. Without him, Madrid leans on Gonzalo as a mobile forward—less direct, more connected. This game demands punch and verticality. Will Alonso bring out the heavy artillery from the first minute?

Crunch time

We’ll know soon enough: if Mbappé starts, it’s a clear sign of tactical trust and belief in his readiness. If not, expect a reduced-minutes return with hopes of a late-game spark. The match, the opponent, and the moment will dictate Alonso’s lineup—but one thing is certain: everything revolves around Mbappé.