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Kylian Mbappe remains sidelined as Real Madrid navigates the Club World Cup group stage, with uncertainty over his return.
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has provided a promising update on star forward Kylian Mbappe as the Spanish giants continue their FIFA Club World Cup campaign without their marquee summer signing.
The Frenchman, who joined Real Madrid at the start of the 2024–25 season, is yet to feature in the tournament after being sidelined by illness. He missed the team's opening game against Al Hilal and was also ruled out of Sunday’s encounter with Mexican side Pachuca.
“He [Mbappe] is better,” Alonso said in his pre-match news conference on Saturday as per Al Jazeera.
“It’s been two days since he came back from hospital. He’s recovering, and day by day.”
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Mbappe was admitted to a hospital in Florida earlier in the week after experiencing a high fever.
Subsequent tests revealed he was suffering from an acute case of gastroenteritis — an illness that forced Real Madrid to keep him away from the squad for two matches.
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Real Madrid confirmed in an official statement on Thursday that the forward had undergone a series of medical tests and treatment. "Mbappe will continue with specific medical treatment and will gradually return to team activity,” the statement read.
Gastroenteritis, commonly referred to as a stomach flu, is caused by a viral or bacterial infection and typically clears up within a week.
According to the UK’s NHS, adults often contract it through norovirus or contaminated food. While it remains unclear how Mbappe contracted the illness, his improving condition raises hope he could make the bench — or more — for Thursday’s final group-stage game against FC Salzburg.
Alonso added: “We’re increasingly optimistic about him for the next match.”
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Young Talent Gonzalo Garcia Steps Up in Mbappe’s Absence
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In the absence of Mbappe, 21-year-old Gonzalo Garcia was handed a starting role in Real Madrid’s opening match and made an immediate impact by scoring the team’s only goal in a 1-1 draw against Al Hilal.
The Castilla forward has impressed Alonso and is expected to retain his spot in the lineup against Pachuca.
“Gonzalo can do what he did the other day [against Al Hilal],” said Alonso.
“He scored a goal and had three chances. Looking ahead, we’ll see what happens. Having players with that sense of smell is very important. He did very well.”
Real Madrid, currently tied in Group H, will complete their group-stage run against FC Salzburg on Thursday at Lincoln Field in Philadelphia.
If they top the group, they will play the Group G runner-up on July 1 in Miami. A second-place finish would see them face the Group G winner in Orlando on June 30.
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Mbappe’s potential return could prove vital in these knockout matches, especially with the extended rest days between games.
A First Club World Cup for Mbappe?
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Mbappe has never competed in the Club World Cup, having only joined Real Madrid this season. While the club has lifted the trophy a record five times, all those triumphs came before the Frenchman’s arrival.
Although Real Madrid has a history of performing at the highest level without Mbappe — including recent Champions League and La Liga titles — his inclusion would add considerable firepower as the knockout rounds loom.
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