Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé has been discharged from a U.S. hospital following a bout of acute gastroenteritis that sidelined him for the team’s FIFA Club World Cup opener, the Spanish club confirmed on Thursday. The 26-year-old French striker, a pivotal figure for both club and country, missed Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal on Wednesday at Hard Rock Stadium due to the illness, which required hospitalization for tests and treatment.
Mbappé’s absence was a significant blow to the tournament, which FIFA president Gianni Infantino hopes will establish the Club World Cup as a premier global soccer event, rivaling the likes of the Champions League and Premier League. The forward, who joined Real Madrid last summer from Paris Saint-Germain, was the team’s top scorer last season with 43 goals in 56 appearances, making his potential absence for upcoming matches a concern for both the club and fans.
Real Madrid issued a statement on Thursday afternoon, saying, “Our player Kylian Mbappé was discharged from the hospital this afternoon and has returned to the Real Madrid training camp. He will continue with specific medical treatment and will gradually return to team activities.” While the news of his discharge brings optimism, no clear timeline has been provided for his return to competitive play, leaving his participation in Real Madrid’s next match against Mexican side Pachuca on Sunday, June 22, in Charlotte, North Carolina, in doubt.
The illness first surfaced earlier this week, with Mbappé missing training on Tuesday due to a fever. Real Madrid’s head coach, Xabi Alonso, who made his managerial debut for the club in the Al Hilal draw, had initially expressed hope that Mbappé might recover in time for the opener. “Kylian was feeling a bit better this morning, but not enough,” Alonso said at a pre-match press conference. After the forward’s condition worsened, he was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, where medical staff diagnosed him with acute gastroenteritis, an infection causing inflammation of the digestive system, often accompanied by symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.
Despite Mbappé’s absence, Real Madrid managed a draw against Al Hilal, with Spanish youngster Gonzalo García scoring the team’s lone goal in the 34th minute. The result, however, was seen as disappointing for a club widely regarded as favorites in the expanded 32-team tournament, which marks its first year in a new month-long format with group stages and knockout rounds. With other stars like Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo stepping up, Real Madrid will look to maintain their momentum, but Mbappé’s potential return remains critical to their aspirations.
Alonso, addressing the media on Wednesday, acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Mbappé’s condition. “He’s been in rough shape with a virus, so we have to keep an eye on him,” he said, adding that the team would take a cautious approach to ensure the player’s full recovery. Should Mbappé miss the upcoming Pachuca match, there is hope he could return for Real Madrid’s final group stage game against RB Salzburg on June 26.