MBAPPE HOSPITALIZED WITH GASTROENTERITIS, MIZAGES AS REAL MADRID THRASH AL-HILAL IN CLUB WORLD CUP PRELIMINARY

MADRID, USA - Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe was hospitalized on Thursday due to an acute case of gastroenteritis, the club confirmed. The French forward missed Real Madrid's Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Mbappe, 26, had been feeling unwell in the days leading up to the match in Miami, with head coach Xabi Alonso noting earlier that the striker was "feeling a little better" but still not fully fit. He also missed training on Tuesday with a fever and in his absence during the game on Wednesday, 21-year-old Madrid B-team player Gonzalo Garcia started and scored the opening goal against the Saudi Arabian side.

"Our player Kylian Mbappe is suffering from an acute case of gastroenteritis and has been admitted to hospital in order to undergo a series of tests and follow the appropriate course of treatment," Real Madrid said in an official statement.

The recovery timeline for gastroenteritis varies, and it remains uncertain if Mbappe will be available for Real Madrid's next fixture in Group H scheduled for Sunday, June 22, against Mexican club Pachuca in Charlotte. His health and availability will be closely monitored as Real Madrid aims to progress in the Club World Cup.

The draw with Al-Hilal marked a mixed start for Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid under his new tenure as coach. While they could not win the match, the 1-1 result showed promise in their title bid. However, without Mbappe, who finished last season as the European Golden Shoe winner, netting 31 goals in La Liga during his debut campaign with Los Blancos, the team will have to rely on other players to drive their charge.

Their next fixture against Pachuca is a critical test for Alonso and the Real Madrid squad, marking a chance to get back into rhythm after the uncertainty surrounding Mbappe's absence.