French striker's dealing with acute gastroenteritis; timeline for return uncertain
Gianni Infantino previews the FIFA Club World Cup
FIFA President Gianni Infantino discusses the expansion of soccer in America with the FIFA Club World Cup and previews the 2026 FIFA World Cup on 'Fox & Friends.'
Soccer superstar Kylian Mbappé missed Real Madrid’s Club World Cup opening game Wednesday, and the team revealed the reason.
Real Madrid said Thursday that Mbappé was hospitalized due to acute gastroenteritis. The team added Mbappe is going through "a series of tests" and will "follow the appropriate course of treatment" after getting results.
Acute gastroenteritis is like the stomach flu, but there are differences.
Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid reacts to a missed chance during a LaLiga match against Real Sociedad at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, May 25, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Diego Souto/Getty Images)
Mbappé, 26, began experiencing symptoms Monday and missed Real Madrid’s practice Tuesday.
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The team didn’t say he wouldn’t be available for the game Wednesday, and head coach Xabi Alonso noted the team would "wait until the last minute" to decide on his game status, according to The Athletic.
After Real Madrid finished with a draw against Al Hilal, Alonso said Mbappé's illness was worse than originally thought.
French forward Kylian Mbappé celebrates after scoring a goal against Argentina on a penalty kick for his third goal of the match during extra time of the 2022 World Cup final at Lusail Stadium. (Yukihito Taguchi/USA Today Sports)
Mbappé's timeline to return is now uncertain.
Real Madrid has a game scheduled for Sunday against Pachuca in the Club World Cup.
Mbappé is in his first season with Real Madrid, scoring 43 goals in 56 appearances for the Spanish club.
Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid during a LaLiga match against Real Sociedad at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu May 25, 2025, in Madrid, Spain. (Diego Souto/Getty Images)
Mbappé and the French national team will look for redemption in next year’s FIFA World Cup after losing to Argentina in the final in 2022.
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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
