Kylian Mbappe is poised for a high-stakes reunion with former club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) as Real Madrid prepare for the Club World Cup 2025 semi-final clash in the United States. The match will mark the first time Mbappe faces PSG since his dramatic exit in 2024, adding intense personal and competitive layers to an already electrifying encounter.
Mbappe’s Legacy and Departure from PSG
Mbappe left PSG in 2024 after seven incredible seasons where he became PSG’s all-time top scorer with 256 goals in 308 appearances. Yet, the manner of his departure — running down his contract to join Real Madrid on a free transfer — strained his relationship with the Qatari-backed French club.
What followed was a bitter legal dispute, with Mbappe demanding €55 million in unpaid wages and bonuses. At one point, Mbappe even accused the club of moral harassment after being sidelined and forced to train with out-of-favor players during the summer of 2023.
Though the legal battle has recently cooled, with Mbappe dropping his harassment complaint, the scars of that chapter remain fresh ahead of this reunion.
Mbappe’s Journey at Real Madrid
Since joining Real Madrid, Mbappe has flourished. In his debut La Liga season, the French star netted 43 goals in 56 matches across all competitions, instantly justifying the long-standing interest from Los Blancos.
However, his Club World Cup 2025 campaign has been hampered by a stomach infection that saw him hospitalized and miss the group stage entirely. Youngster Gonzalo Garcia stepped up in his absence, scoring four goals in five games, including the opener in the 3-2 quarter-final win over Borussia Dortmund.
Mbappe returned in that match, coming off the bench to score a breathtaking overhead goal in stoppage time that sealed Madrid’s win.
“He is not 100 percent yet, but he’s improving every day,” coach Xabi Alonso stated, hinting that Mbappe is likely to start the semi-final against his former club.
PSG Eye Back-to-Back Upsets
PSG, under manager Luis Enrique, are in red-hot form. After winning the Champions League 2025 by thrashing Inter Milan 5-0, they carried that momentum into the Club World Cup, knocking out Bayern Munich 2-0 in the quarter-final—even after going down to nine men.
Luis Enrique, who once played for Real Madrid, will also have personal motivation heading into the semi-final. “It doesn’t matter who we face—we’re here to reach the final,” he asserted confidently.
Xabi Alonso’s Tactical Puzzle
Real Madrid’s new coach Xabi Alonso, fresh off a successful stint with Bayer Leverkusen, has shown tactical versatility—shifting between a back four and a three-man defense. It remains to be seen what shape he adopts for the clash against PSG, and how Mbappe is deployed in the lineup.
With tensions, legacy, and footballing brilliance all colliding on this stage, the Mbappe vs PSG semi-final is set to be a landmark moment in modern football.
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