Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has been hospitalized due to what the club described as “an acute case of gastroenteritis,” according to an official statement released Thursday. The French international is currently undergoing medical tests and will receive appropriate treatment over the coming days, the club confirmed.
Earlier in the week, Mbappé had reportedly been battling a fever. That illness kept him out of Tuesday’s training session and sidelined him during Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal in the FIFA Club World Cup, hosted at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The development has sparked uncertainty around Mbappé’s availability for the remainder of the tournament. As one of the marquee names in the competition—arguably the biggest aside from Lionel Messi—his potential absence casts a long shadow over Real Madrid’s campaign.
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso didn’t sound overly optimistic about the situation following Wednesday’s match. “I don’t know if he will be back for the next game,” Alonso admitted. “He hasn’t been well these past couple of days. He’s sick.”
During a press conference held Tuesday, Alonso offered more details, saying Mbappé “was feeling a bit better, but not fully fit.” The team opted to keep him out of training to avoid aggravating his condition. “We thought it was not best for him to go to the training session. We’ll see how he evolves,” Alonso said, emphasizing that the coaching staff planned to wait until the last possible moment before making any decisions about his return.
Mbappé’s health scare arrives at a crucial point in the tournament, with Real Madrid needing strong performances in their final two group stage matches to advance. The Spanish giants are set to face Mexican club CF Pachuca on June 22 at 3 p.m. ET at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. After that, they’ll square off against Austria’s FC Salzburg on June 26 at 9 p.m. ET at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Group H is already proving to be competitive. FC Salzburg currently leads with three points following their 2-1 win over Pachuca on Wednesday. Real Madrid and Al-Hilal sit level with one point each after their draw, while Pachuca finds itself at the bottom with zero points after one match.
Real Madrid’s prospects hinge not just on tactical execution but also on the health of their star forward. Mbappé’s influence on the pitch is undeniable—his speed, creativity, and ability to turn games around in an instant make him one of the most feared players in world football. Losing him for multiple matches could drastically shift the dynamics of Group H and, potentially, the entire tournament.
For now, Madrid fans and team officials can only wait and hope that the 25-year-old makes a speedy recovery. With two high-stakes matches remaining and Group H wide open, every decision—medical or tactical—carries weight. The next few days could define Real Madrid’s journey in the FIFA Club World Cup.
