Kylian Mbappe only had a cameo role in Real Madrid C.F.’s progress to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ quarter-finals following their comfortable 1-0 victory over Juventus FC at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
And it was Gonzalo Garcia who once again played the role of Real Madrid’s leading man as he scored his third goal of the global showpiece to continue the La Liga giants’ impressive march into the last eight.
But the return of Mbappe to centre stage — after coming on as a 68th-minute substitute to enter the Club World Cup for the first time after gastroenteritis caused him to miss the early stages — has brought significant star power to the biggest club tournament in world football.
Indeed, the biggest cheer from the Real Madrid-heavy crowd at the Hard Rock Stadium was not for Garcia’s goal but when Mbappe entered the field to replace their goalscorer.
The France forward’s comeback was just as welcome for Real Madrid’s players as it was for their fanbase.
“It’s important (Mbappe is back) because the more players you have in your squad the better, especially a guy like Mbappe,” Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois told FIFA. “We hare happy with the team and it’s always good to have a fit (squad).”
Courtois was full of praise for 21-year-old Garcia, who has performed brilliantly in Mbappe’s absence and has been one of the breakout stars of the tournament.
“Garcia is a great striker. We know him already for a couple of years training with us,” Courtois added. “He’s a good striker, scoring a lot of goals, has a good presence in the box, good with the head. So, yes, he is very useful for us.”
As for Real Madrid’s chances of winning the Club World Cup, Courtois noted: “To win the first edition is always special. We’re far from there, there are a lot of tough teams on the way still.”
