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Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé has been hospitalized in the United States after being diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis while participating in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The club confirmed the news on Thursday, stating, "Our player Kylian Mbappé is suffering from an acute case of gastroenteritis and has been admitted to hospital in order to undergo a series of tests and follow the appropriate course of treatment."
Mbappé began experiencing symptoms, including fever and gastrointestinal distress, on Tuesday and was taken to the hospital on Wednesday. According to sources cited by Reuters and The Guardian, he has been isolated from his teammates and ruled out of the group stage of the tournament. This means he will miss Real Madrid's upcoming matches against Pachuca on Sunday in North Carolina and Red Bull Salzburg next Friday.
The illness, commonly referred to as the stomach flu, typically causes vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, and can severely affect an athlete's physical performance. The NHS notes that gastroenteritis is often mild and usually resolves within a week, but it can be serious in acute cases, especially for elite athletes during competition.
Mbappé's absence is a major setback for Real Madrid, who are considered favorites in the competition after dominating European football in recent years. The team drew 1-1 in their opening match against Al-Hilal at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on June 18, a game that saw over 62,000 fans in attendance—many of whom had hoped to see the French forward in action.
Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso had previously mentioned Mbappé was dealing with a fever and hinted that his participation in future matches was uncertain. "He was not well and needed to rest," Alonso said after the opening draw. The club has yet to confirm how long Mbappé will be sidelined or whether he could return if the team advances beyond the group stage.
Mbappé, who transferred from Paris Saint-Germain over the summer, has been a key figure for Madrid this season, scoring 31 LaLiga goals. His recent hospitalization follows another setback earlier in the year, when he played in the European Championship with a protective mask due to a broken nose.
