By: Kwame Bediako
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has been admitted to the hospital at the ongoing Club World Cup after missing the team’s opening match against Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal on Wednesday, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
The French star traveled with the Madrid squad to the United States but was unable to feature in the starting lineup due to health complications.
The club later confirmed that Mbappe is receiving treatment for acute gastroenteritis.
In an official statement, Real Madrid announced: “Our player Kylian Mbappé has acute gastroenteritis and has been hospitalized for various tests and treatment.”
Gastroenteritis is a common stomach illness characterized by symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, often caused by food poisoning or infection, and typically lasts less than a week according to NHS guidelines. The club is closely monitoring Mbappe’s condition as he undergoes treatment.
Mbappe has been a key player for Real Madrid since his high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain last summer on a free transfer. After a slow start adapting to LaLiga, he quickly found his form at the Santiago Bernabeu, scoring 31 goals this season alone. His goal-scoring prowess has been instrumental in Real Madrid’s domestic and European campaigns, making his absence in the tournament’s opening game a significant blow.
Real Madrid entered the Club World Cup as one of the favorites, boasting a dominant record in European football with five Champions League titles in the last decade. However, without Mbappe, they struggled to secure a win in their first match of the revamped tournament.
The team, managed by Xabi Alonso, will look to bounce back when they face Pachuca in North Carolina on Sunday.
