Spanish media reports have indicated that French star Kylian Mbappé, a player for Real Madrid, will miss his team’s match against Mexico’s Pachuca in the second round of the group stage at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The Spanish newspaper AS explained that Mbappé will not take part in the anticipated match, as Real Madrid’s medical and technical staff preferred to give him more time to fully recover from the health issue that affected him, ensuring his readiness for the crucial clash against Austria’s Salzburg in the third round — a match that will largely determine the teams advancing to the next stage.

Real Madrid had announced in an official statement that Mbappé suffered a severe health setback due to intense stomach pain, which required him to be rushed to the hospital as a precaution. The club reassured its fans that the player has already left the hospital after his condition stabilized and has returned to the team camp, where he is currently following a special treatment and rehabilitation program under the supervision of the medical team, in preparation for his gradual return to group training and matches.
Football fans are eagerly awaiting the upcoming match between Real Madrid and Pachuca, scheduled for next Sunday at 10:00 p.m. Saudi time at Bank of America Stadium. Real Madrid will be looking for their first win in the tournament after stumbling in the first round with a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal — a match in which the team failed to deliver the expected performance and struggled to break through the opponent’s defense.

Group D of the tournament is witnessing intense competition among the four teams: Real Madrid (Spain), Pachuca (Mexico), Salzburg (Austria), and Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), with closely matched levels and each team aiming to secure a place in the knockout stages. Real Madrid is determined to regain its footing and deliver a performance worthy of its storied history in this global competition.