Why Kylian Mbappé is timing his Real Madrid return to perfection

There will be a debate to be had in 10 years’ time about how good Kylian Mbappé actually was.

Only then will it be known whether the Real Madrid striker truly fulfilled the talent that has marked him out as one of the greatest players of his generation.

Mbappé made his return from illness during Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Juventus in the Round of 16 at the FIFA Club World Cup, where every game is being shown live and free on DAZN.

It was his first appearance of the tournament and encouraged hopes that he can play a key role in helping Los Blancos to go all the way, with a quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund next up on Saturday.

Certainly for Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, now unbeaten in four games since succeeding Carlo Ancelotti, the sight of Mbappé causing havoc again was heartening.

If the Spanish giants are to lift the trophy then Mbappé might well be required to hit top gear.

Should they overcome Dortmund at MetLife Stadium on Saturday then Bayern Munich or his former club Paris St-Germain lie in wait in the semi-finals.

So far Madrid have done just fine with Gonzalo Garcia leading the line.

The young Spaniard, 21, has scored three goals in four games and headed home a beautifully-executed winner from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross against Juve.

But there is an inescapable feeling that this could now be Mbappé’s time.

The 26-year-old was on an incredible goalscoring run before being struck down ahead of the Club World Cup.

Between April 26 and June 8, Mbappé scored a staggering 12 goals.

A stunning hat-trick to slay Barcelona in El Clasico? Oh yes.

A deadly double to see off Real Sociedad? That will do nicely.

Goals for France in the Nations League against Spain and Germany? Par for the course.

Then came that cruel setback; a gastrointestinal illness before Madrid’s opening Club World Cup match which saw Mbappé treated at a hospital.

He lost a considerable amount of weight and was forced to sit out all three group matches as Madrid won two and drew the other being passed fit to return against Juve as a second-half substitute.

It was only 22 minutes after replacing matchwinner Garcia, but an impressive cameo nonetheless.

He stretched Juventus’ backline and combined with Vinícius Júnior to create a couple of presentable chances.

Could he start against Dortmund on Saturday? You would have your doubts.

But that he is back fit again is a huge boost to Madrid’s Club World Cup title prospects.

Alonso said after the Juventus victory: “Every day, he’s getting better. From now until the quarter-final, he’s going to be even better.

“I talk to him every day, ask him how he is feeling and I think he is going to be way better for the quarter-finals.”

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