Why did Kylian Mbappe miss out on Real Madrid Club World Cup opener? Spanish giants reveal reason

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Kylian Mbappe Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Villarreal and Real Madrid in Villarreal, Spain, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)

With Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe missing out of their opening Club World Cup fixture against Al Hilal on Thursday, the Spanish giants provided an update on the forward. According to an official statement by the club, Mbappe was hospitalised with an acute case of gastroenteritis. Madrid said Mbappe would “undergo a series of tests and follow the appropriate course of treatment.”

New coach Xabi Alonso had said that he hoped the France international would be available for the team’s next game against Pachuca on Sunday but his hospitalization has now thrown a spanner in the Spaniard’s plans. With the tournament set to be a month-long affair, it’s still unclear if Mbappe can even take part in it.

Meanwhile, Alonso got off to a disappointing start at Real as the Spanish giant was held to a 1-1 draw by Al Hilal.

Mbappé medical report.

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 19, 2025

In his first game as coach of the 15-time European champion, Alonso was denied victory when Federico Valverde’s stoppage-time penalty was saved.

The VAR-awarded spot kick looked like it would hand Madrid – and Alonso – a late reprieve after being pushed all the way at Hard Rock Stadium by Al Hilal under new coach Simone Inzaghi.

But the Group H game ended tied, with Gonzalo Garcia scoring for Madrid in the 34th minute and Ruben Neves equalizing for Al Hilal from the penalty spot seven minutes later.

Madrid was given a chance at victory when VAR spotted a foul by Mohammed Alqahtani on Fran Garcia in the box.

Valverde stepped up to take the penalty two minutes into added time, but he dropped to his knees after his low effort was saved by Yassine Bounou, sparking wild celebrations from the Al Hilal goalkeeper’s teammates.

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What is Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is also known as stomach flu and symptoms can include vomiting and diarrhea.
Mbappe’s hospitalization comes almost exactly one year after he sustained a broken nose at the European Championship and had to wear a face mask to continue playing in the tournament.

(With agency inputs)

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