Real Madrid’s campaign at the FIFA Club World Cup ended with a 4–0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, prompting immediate soul-searching at the Bernabéu. Coach Xabi Alonso is set to hold individual meetings with forwards Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé to address concerns about their off-ball work-rate, according to Mail Sport. In parallel, the manager told reporters there is “room to improve” the squad and has asked the board for reinforcements after the club failed to land midfielder Martin Zubimendi, Diario Sport reported. Madrid are now working on a €50 million deal for Benfica left-back Álvaro Carreras, while earlier additions Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold have already joined the squad. The club will also unveil 17-year-old Argentine playmaker Franco Mastantuono at the Bernabéu on 14 August, his 18th birthday. Mastantuono, who described joining Madrid as a lifelong dream, is expected to be integrated into the first-team plans immediately. Centre-back Raúl Asencio apologised to supporters on social media, admitting he “was not up to standard” during the tournament after errors that led to goals against Madrid’s opponents.