Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has been hospitalized with a severe case of gastroenteritis, the Spanish club confirmed on Thursday
The France international missed Madrid’s opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup against Saudi side Al Hilal in Miami on Wednesday due to a high fever. Coach Xabi Alonso had initially expressed hope that Mbappe would return in time for Sunday’s clash with Mexican club Pachuca.
However, his hospitalization has now cast serious doubt over his availability for the remainder of the month-long tournament in the United States.
In a statement, Real Madrid said the World Cup winner would “undergo a series of tests and follow the appropriate course of treatment.”
Mbappe’s absence is a major setback for both the club and the tournament. As one of football’s biggest global stars—second only to Lionel Messi in popularity—his presence was expected to draw large crowds and bolster FIFA’s ambitions to elevate the Club World Cup into a competition that rivals the Champions League and Premier League in prestige.
More than 62,000 fans filled Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday hoping to see Mbappe in action, but instead watched Madrid settle for a disappointing 1-1 draw against Al Hilal.
Gastroenteritis, often referred to as stomach flu, typically causes symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, and can severely impact an athlete’s short-term performance and recovery.
This latest setback comes nearly a year after Mbappe broke his nose during the European Championship, forcing him to wear a protective face mask for the rest of the tournament.
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