Just days before the Club World Cup quarter-final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, a storm is brewing behind the scenes… and none other than Kylian Mbappé is involved.

After making a full recovery following a brief hospitalization for gastritis, Mbappé was quick to make his intentions clear. In a private, albeit heated, conversation with coach Xabi Alonso, the French superstar demanded to be in the starting lineup for Sunday’s crucial match. But that wasn’t all: Mbappé went one step further, explicitly telling Alonso that Gonzalo García must be on the bench if he wanted to start.

According to sources at Valdebebas, Mbappé’s words were blunt and inflexible. The request wasn’t phrased as a suggestion, but rather as an ultimatum: “Choose me or choose him.”

This bold move surprised the dressing room. García, the 20-year-old youth player, has been in spectacular form, scoring three goals and providing one assist in just four matches, including the winning goal against Juventus earlier this week. His explosive energy and perfect adaptation to Alonso’s high-pressing system have made him a fan favorite and an unexpected pillar of Madrid’s recent success.

Meanwhile, Mbappé, despite being one of the best players in the world, has only played a few minutes since his recovery. He may have regained his fitness, but his rhythm and integration with the team remain uncertain.

The situation could have triggered a crisis. But just 10 minutes into the confrontation, Alonso reportedly gave a calm but chillingly direct response, composed of just five words, that silenced the entire training ground.

“I don’t play with threats.”

The word spread like wildfire. Coaches, staff, and even veteran players were stunned by Alonso’s calm defiance. It was a message not just for Mbappé, but for everyone at the club: no one, not even a global icon, is above the team.

Fans on social media erupted in reactions. Some praised Alonso’s determination, calling it “the return of Madrid’s traditional values.” Others warned that rejecting Mbappé’s demand could cause friction at a critical moment in the tournament.

For now, the official starting lineup remains a secret. But all eyes are on the lineup to see if Alonso stays true to his philosophy or finds a way to reconcile ego and form as only elite coaches can.

As Real Madrid prepares for its most important match of the tournament, the tension off the pitch could be as explosive as on it.

One thing is certain: Sunday’s kickoff won’t just mark the start of a football match: it could be the first chapter in a power struggle within Real Madrid.