Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso is facing a major selection dilemma as his side prepares for a crucial FIFA Club World Cup semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
Alonso, a former midfield maestro at Madrid and Champions League winner, took over from Carlo Ancelotti at the end of last season and has quickly guided the Spanish giants to the final four of FIFA’s revamped summer tournament.
A significant factor in their progress has been the emergence of academy graduate Gonzalo Garcia. The young striker has stepped up in the absence of Kylian Mbappe and Endrick, scoring key goals against Juventus and Borussia Dortmund in the knockout stages to emerge as a contender for the tournament’s Golden Boot.
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Garcia’s rise has largely been the result of unfortunate timing for Madrid’s star forwards. Endrick suffered a hamstring injury in late May, while Mbappe was sidelined with a bout of gastritis when the tournament began in mid-June.
However, Mbappe returned to action in Saturday’s 3-2 quarterfinal victory over Dortmund, coming off the bench to score a dramatic 94th-minute winner, proving he’s back to full sharpness.
With Wednesday’s showdown against his former club PSG looming, Alonso now faces one of the toughest choices of his short managerial career—stick with the in-form Garcia or start Mbappe in what could be a decisive role.
The decision may hinge on the formation. If Alonso opts for a 4-3-3, only one central striker role is available. But he used a 4-3-1-2 against Dortmund, which could allow both Garcia and Mbappe to start—though that would likely come at the expense of Vinícius Jr.
Another option could be moving Vinícius into Arda Güler’s deeper left-sided role. However, this could risk weakening Madrid’s creative core and defensive coverage, especially against a dangerous PSG side. Both Mbappe and Vinícius have come under criticism for failing to track back consistently, an issue that cost Madrid in several matches during the 2024/25 season.
Meanwhile, Endrick’s future at the club remains uncertain. With Garcia and Mbappe ahead of him in the pecking order, the 18-year-old Brazilian—who arrived at Madrid around the same time Mbappe joined from PSG—could be eyeing a loan move in search of regular first-team minutes.
For Alonso, the decision he makes on Wednesday could define not just the match, but the trajectory of several careers at Real Madrid.
