Real Madrid x Juventus: Mbappé is the target of jokes for his physical form
The French superstar finally took the field but his physical shape and muted performance quickly became a trending topic online.
Kylian Mbappé made his long-awaited debut for Real Madrid in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, but it wasn’t quite the explosive return fans expected.
Coming on as a substitute during the second half of Madrid’s 1-0 win over Juventus this Tuesday (July 1), the French forward played 22 minutes but drew more attention for his noticeably slim physique than his performance.
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The Internet Reacts: “Where Did His Muscles Go?”
Mbappé’s return after a brief bout with gastroenteritis was met with a wave of reactions online. Some were puzzled by his apparent loss of muscle mass, comparing his physique to his early days at Monaco.
“In all honesty, how can a human being lose so much muscle in such a short space of time?” posted one fan on X (formerly Twitter), stunned by the striker’s appearance.
The visual contrast from his usual athletic build triggered a flurry of memes and side-by-side comparisons, even as many acknowledged the context of his recent illness.
Mbappé’s Match Stats vs Juventus
Despite the jokes, Mbappé showed flashes of intent and directness that reminded fans of his trademark playing style. He wasn’t shy about taking on defenders but clearly lacked rhythm and sharpness.
- Minutes played: 22
- Passes completed: 16
- Total actions with the ball: 19
- Times dispossessed: 3
- Shots on target: 0
“I don’t even like Mbappé, but I respect how he always tries to go forward. Modern football needs more of that,” wrote another fan, praising his fearless approach.
Sub for the Star, Not the Star of the Show
Mbappé replaced Gonzalo García, who once again proved to be the match-winner for Real Madrid, scoring the only goal of the game. With his stock rising fast, García may now be challenging even superstar status within the squad.
Meanwhile, manager Xabi Alonso made it clear pre-match that Mbappé’s minutes would be carefully managed as he regains fitness.
