Mbappe Seeks Revenge as Real Madrid Clash with Former Club PSG in High-Stakes Showdown

Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are preparing for a semifinal showdown in the Club World Cup, featuring Kylian Mbappé facing off against his previous team.

Real Madrid secured a 3–2 triumph against Borussia Dortmund in the Club World Cup quarterfinals, maintaining their five-game undefeated streak under new manager Xabi Alonso. However, the Spanish powerhouse will encounter a significantly tougher challenge in the upcoming round when they meet the Champions League titleholders at MetLife Stadium.

These two European powerhouses have met in eight competitive encounters during the past ten years, with Real Madrid claiming victory in four of those matches. Mbappé will be eager to earn his first Club World Cup start and assist his new squad in achieving another triumph against the team where he played for seven seasons before transferring to the Spanish capital.

While Mbappé's return to complete fitness brings relief to Real Madrid, it will probably require Alonso to bench Gonzalo García, who has been the tournament's standout performer. The coach must also find a replacement for the suspended Dean Huijsen, who received a red card in the quarterfinals.

Here's how Real Madrid's starting eleven might appear against PSG on July 9.

Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. PSG (4-1-3-2)

GK: Thibaut Courtois—The Belgian goalkeeper has allowed just four goals this summer, with two coming from penalty kicks. However, Courtois will face a demanding task in preventing PSG from finding the net.

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold—The ex-Liverpool player has provided an assist in his previous two matches, adapting well to his new team after an uncertain beginning.

CB: Raúl Asencio—The Real Madrid Castilla graduate is expected to make his first knockout stage start due to Huijsen's suspension. Asencio has found it difficult to impress under Alonso and might represent a vulnerability that PSG could target.

CB: Antonio Rüdiger—Rüdiger must deliver an exceptional performance to contain a PSG offensive unit that has scored 12 goals in the Club World Cup.

LB: Fran García—García delivered his finest summer display in Real Madrid's win over Dortmund, netting his inaugural tournament goal. The Spanish defender is building a strong argument to become Alonso's preferred left-back for the 2025–26 campaign.

CM: Fede Valverde—No Real Madrid player matches Valverde's adaptability and reliability. The Uruguayan midfielder has already operated in central midfield, right wing, and right-back positions during the Club World Cup.

CM: Aurélien Tchouaméni—The French player's positioning has been frequently adjusted in the United States, alternating between his preferred midfield role and emergency center-back duties. Tchouaméni has participated in all but five minutes of Real Madrid's Club World Cup campaign.

CM: Arda Güler—The 20-year-old has excelled since Alonso's appointment. After receiving limited playing time under Carlo Ancelotti, Güler has been in the starting lineup for every Real Madrid match in the United States, contributing one goal and two assists.

AM: Jude Bellingham—With shoulder surgery approaching, Bellingham will aim to give everything against the reigning European champions. The English midfielder should find numerous opportunities against PSG's depleted defensive line.

ST: Kylian Mbappé—Provided the striker is healthy enough to start, Mbappé will spearhead Los Blancos' offensive against his former team. The Frenchman's remarkable winning goal against Dortmund made him the first Real Madrid player to score across seven different competitions in one season.

LW: Vinícius Júnior—Vinícius Júnior is gradually returning to his Ballon d'Or-caliber form from the 2023–24 season, while showing significant improvement in his defensive contributions since Alonso's arrival.