MIAMI — Kylian Mbappe was discharged from the hospital Thursday after experiencing an acute case of gastroenteritis, and it was not known when he will be able to play for Real Madrid at the Club World Cup.
Mbappe missed the Spanish giant's opening game of the tournament — a surprise 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal in Miami — because of a fever.
Coach Xabi Alonso said the France international was in ''rough shape'' and hadn't been able to train for days. His illness casts doubt over what part he might be able to play in the monthlong tournament in the United States, with Madrid facing Pachuca in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday.
"Mbappe will continue with specific medical treatment and will gradually return to the team's activity,'' Madrid said in a statement.
Gastroenteritis is also known as stomach flu and symptoms can include vomiting and diarrhea.
Mbappe's absence is a blow to the Club World Cup, which FIFA president Gianni Infantino hopes will be one of the elite events in soccer and rival competitions like the Champions League and Premier League in popularity and value.
After Lionel Messi, Mbappe is arguably the biggest star in the show, with Madrid one of the favorites to lift the trophy in the inaugural edition of the tournament.
But a crowd of more than 62,000 at Hard Rock Stadium missed out on a rare chance to see him in person in the U.S. when he was unavailable for Madrid's first game at the home of the NFL's Miami Dolphins on Wednesday.