Kylian Mbappe hospitalized after Club World Cup match illness
- Kylian Mbappe has been hospitalized for acute gastroenteritis, leading to his absence in the match against Al-Hilal.
- The Real Madrid forward was taken to the hospital for tests and treatment, with ongoing uncertainty about his return.
- The team's performance against Al-Hilal was impacted by his absence, raising concerns about their chances in the upcoming matches.
In the United States, Kylian Mbappe, the French forward playing for Real Madrid, has been hospitalized due to acute gastroenteritis. His condition forced him to miss the Club World Cup opener held on June 19 against the Saudi Arabian team Al-Hilal, which ended in a 1-1 draw. The club confirmed that he was admitted to the hospital for various tests and appropriate treatment, as the illness had initially seemed less severe. However, it quickly became clear that his symptoms were significant enough to warrant hospitalization. Real Madrid’s medical staff reported that Mbappe began having symptoms on Monday leading to his absence from training the following day. Xabi Alonso, the team's coach, mentioned that they had hoped to assess his condition right up until the match but ultimately had to conclude that Mbappe could not participate. Following the match, Alonso acknowledged the situation was more serious than they initially assumed. With the next game scheduled against Pachuca, doubts grew regarding Mbappe's ability to recover in time to contribute. Mbappe's absence was profoundly felt during the match, particularly in the final moments when his substitute, Federico Valverde, missed a crucial penalty that could have secured them a victory over Al-Hilal. The team struggled offensively, which makes Mbappe's absence all the more significant given his track record of scoring 43 goals in his first season with Madrid. The hospital confirmed that he will continue to receive treatment, which has raised concerns about his availability for upcoming matches, including a critical Group H fixture against Pachuca. As the team prepares for the next game, there is still uncertainty surrounding Mbappe’s recovery timeline. Despite being discharged from the hospital shortly after the match, his return to full training remains undetermined. The entire incident has sparked discussions among fans and analysts regarding the importance of monitoring athletes' health, especially during major tournaments. Real Madrid's hopes of progressing through the tournament heavily rely on Mbappe returning to form in the coming days, and the pressure is accumulating as they transition to crucial knockout phases of the Club World Cup.