Real’s Mbappe fit for Intercontinental Cup final in Doha

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has returned after a thigh injury and will travel to Doha for this week’s Intercontinental Cup final, the Spanish club said on Monday.Mbappe pulled up with a left thigh problem after scoring in last week’s 3-2 Champions League win at Atalanta and missed Saturday’s 3-3 league draw at Rayo Vallecano.But the 25-year-old will be in the squad for Wednesday’s Intercontinental Cup final against Mexican club Pachuca at the Lusail Stadium."Mbappe did some work with the rest of the squad and some on his own,” Real said of their final training session ahead of the Doha trip.Real are third in La Liga, one point behind leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid with a game in hand, and host Sevilla next Sunday.In a season plagued by injuries and long-term absentees, Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will be looking to add to his and his club’s trophy collection on Wednesday.With the likes of Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba and Ferland Mendy all sidelined with injuries, the Italian coach has had to turn to some of his lesser-used players or change some of their positions around on the pitch.Undoubtedly, Mbappe came to Real Madrid to play his part in these types of clashes that decide titles. He already made a name for himself at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, bagging eight goals, so the former PSG man will be hoping to pick up where he left off.He will play alongside Vinicius, who has scored more goals than Mbappe this season and has tallied at least 22 goals in his last three seasons for the club. The Brazilian is on track to continue his record in the 2024/25 campaign, and he does not turn 25 until the day before the final of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.Real goal-keeper Thibaut Courtois, who is returning from a lengthy injury at the end of last season, will be Real Madrid’s saviour in goal.In Qatar, he will be aiming to win another crown with his side, being the last line of defence for a team that, despite a number of notable absentees, will continue to fight tooth and nail for every title.With Courtois back to full fitness, Antonio Rudiger is the only other regular defender that will feature in the final. The German continues to flourish for Los Blancos, with his dominance, speed and power embodying this season’s team.Now in his third season at Real Madrid, Rudiger remains a key player in Ancelotti’s squad. After making 39 appearances in his first season, 44 last season and more than 20 in the current campaign, the 31-year-old is enjoying the best moment of his career.Pachuca beat Al Ahly of Egypt on penalties in Doha on Saturday to seal their place in the final.The Intercontinental Cup brings together the winners of continental tournaments with Real qualifying directly for the final as the 2024 UEFA Champions League winners.