Kylian Mbappe Hospitalized With Severe Gastroenteritis, Doubtful For Club World Cup

Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has been hospitalized with a severe case of gastroenteritis, the Spanish club announced on Thursday.

The French forward missed Madrid’s FIFA Club World Cup opener against Saudi side Al Hilal in Miami on Wednesday due to a high fever. Coach Xabi Alonso had expressed optimism that Mbappe might return in time for Sunday’s match against Pachuca, but his condition has since worsened, putting his participation in the rest of the U.S.-hosted tournament in serious doubt.

In an official statement, Real Madrid confirmed that Mbappe would undergo medical tests and begin treatment immediately.

The 25-year-old’s absence is a blow not only for Madrid but also for the tournament as a whole. As one of the sport’s most marketable figures—widely considered the second most popular player globally after Lionel Messi—Mbappe was expected to be a key draw for fans and a central figure in FIFA’s efforts to raise the Club World Cup’s profile.

Over 62,000 fans packed Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday, many hoping to see Mbappe in action, but instead witnessed a 1-1 draw between Madrid and Al Hilal.

Gastroenteritis, commonly known as stomach flu, leads to symptoms like fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, and can be especially debilitating for high-performance athletes.

This health scare follows a difficult year for Mbappe, who suffered a broken nose during the last European Championship and had to wear a protective face mask throughout the tournament.