The 33-year-old has managed just 69 minutes in seven substitute appearances this season after spending the last two months recovering in Belgium from a hamstring injury. Despite his lack of game time, Garcia has kept faith in his star striker as Belgium prepare for their Group G fixtures.

Garcia acknowledged Lukaku’s condition, saying the striker is fit again but still not at peak sharpness.

“Romelu has recovered, but he’s out of shape, and I’m not sure he’ll be able to start the matches. But he’s our best striker, Belgium’s all-time leading scorer,” Garcia said.

He added that the team would work on building the striker’s fitness ahead of the tournament.

“We have five weeks to get him back to full fitness so that little by little he can help the team,” he added.

Lukaku remains a key figure for Belgium, with 89 goals in 124 international appearances. If he features, it will be his fourth straight World Cup appearance alongside veterans such as Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, and Axel Witsel.

Garcia also included Matias Fernandez-Pardo in the squad after the young attacker committed his international future to Belgium, having previously been linked with Spain. He replaces Lois Openda, who has struggled for playing time at Juventus.

Defender Zeno Debast was also named in the squad despite recent concerns over a training injury.

Belgium will face Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand in Group G, with matches scheduled across the United States and Canada.

Mbappé came on in the 69th minute and was met with whistles from sections of the home crowd, with Vinícius Júnior, Gonzalo García and Franco Mastantuono all preferred in the starting attack.

The forward had missed Madrid’s previous two matches due to a thigh injury, including the defeat to Barcelona that effectively handed their rivals the La Liga title. His recent absence, combined with online criticism and a petition calling for his departure, has increased scrutiny on his role at the club.

“I’m 100% fine,” said the 27-year-old, who remains Madrid’s leading scorer this season with 41 goals in 41 appearances.

“I haven’t played because, for the coach, I’ve been the fourth striker in the squad behind Mastantuono, Vini and Gonzalo.”

“I was ready to start. It’s his decision and it must be respected. I have no problem with Arbeloa. I just have to work harder to play ahead of them.”

However, head coach Álvaro Arbeloa rejected the suggestion, saying Mbappé was not fit enough to start after recently returning from injury.

“I spoke with him before the game, and I don’t know what he interpreted,” Arbeloa said. “A player who was not fit enough to be on the bench a few days ago should not start, especially in a non-decisive match.”

Tension around the club has been growing, with criticism directed at the management and sections of the fanbase expressing frustration during the match, including a banner demanding the resignation of club president Florentino Pérez, which was removed from the stands.

Mbappé, however, downplayed the boos from supporters, saying such reactions are part of football.

“That’s life. You can’t control people’s opinions when they are angry,” he said. “It’s part of being a Real Madrid player. You have to accept it, move forward, and try to change the situation through performance.”

The couple now rank second among Britain’s sporting rich list, behind former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone’s family, whose fortune is estimated at £2 billion.

Golfer Rory McIlroy is placed seventh with £325 million following his recent back-to-back Masters victories, while Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe dropped to ninth position after his wealth fell by £1.85 billion to £15.194 billion.

Beckham’s financial growth has been boosted by his co-ownership of Inter Miami CF, one of Major League Soccer’s most valuable clubs, currently estimated at $1.45 billion.

The 51-year-old former football star, who was knighted in November, also earns significantly from global endorsement deals with major brands such as Adidas and Hugo Boss.

Victoria Beckham’s fashion brand continues to contribute substantially to the couple’s overall fortune, adding to her post–Spice Girls business success.

Promoters Barry Hearn and Eddie Hearn have also entered Britain’s billionaire sports circle with a combined wealth of £1.035 billion through Matchroom Sport.

In the wider athlete rankings, boxer Anthony Joshua is placed eighth with £240 million, narrowly ahead of Tyson Fury, who is valued at £162 million.

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton ranks fifth with £435 million, while England captain Harry Kane and tennis star Andy Murray share tenth place with £110 million each.