Rodrygo ready to step into Mbappé‘s shoes

The French striker formed part of the expedition that travelled to Qatar on Monday but is a major doubt for the final.

Real Madrid’s journey to Qatar ahead of Wednesday’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup didn’t get off to the best of starts with the Madrid-Doha flight delayed by three hours due to a technical fault.

One of the passengers on-board was French striker Kylian Mbappé, and despite being a major doubt as he is still nursing a muscular injury, the striker has been named in the squad as the player still holds out hope of getting some playing time in the game against Pachuca.

Four youth team players have also been included in the delegation with keeper Fran González, Lorenzo Aguado, Yusi. and striker Víctor Muñoz all drafted in by Carlo Ancelotti.

Rodrygo ready

Should the French forward fail the late fitness test, then waiting in the wings will be Brazilian Rodrygo Goes with the 23-year-old the standout player for Madrid last Saturday as they played out a 3-3 thriller against Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga.

Rodrygo tormented the Rayo defence and bagged the third goal of the night for ‘Los Blancos’ just before the hour mark with Rayo’s Isi Palazon later drawing the home side level.

The Brazilian duo (Rodrygo and Vinicius) will lead the line playing just in-front of Jude Bellingham.

Madrid face Liga MX side Pachuca after the Mexicans edged out Al Ahly on a penalty shoot out last Saturday with Wednesday’s final set to be staged at the 86,000 capacity Lusail Stadium, the venue where the 2022 World Cup final was staged.