Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has come under heavy criticism from sections of the club’s supporters after taking a trip to Sardinia while recovering from a hamstring injury, just days before the highly anticipated El Clásico against FC Barcelona.
Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury, has angered some of the team’s followers following a vacation in Sardinia, setting off a new media frenzy ahead of Sunday’s Clasico against Barcelona.
The striker’s trip to Italy during Real Madrid’s recovery days for injured players, such as Mbappe, Thibaut Courtois, and Arda Guler, was the tipping point for many Madrid supporters.
Some supporters of United are publicly demanding that the French superstar depart after a shared image of Mbappe with a “Fuera (out)” stamp over his face was first uploaded by a parody account and then reproduced in the comments area of Real Madrid’s official posts.
Additionally, an online petition asking Madrid supporters to “make their voices heard” has been making the rounds on social media. It says, “If you believe change is necessary, do not remain silent: sign this petition and defend what you believe is best for the future of the club.”
Widely circulated images of Mbappe with actress Ester Exposito, which were uploaded on social media last weekend as Real Madrid prepared for a pivotal La Liga match against Espanyol in an attempt to postpone Barcelona’s title celebrations, added fuel to the fire.
Following Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory, coach Alvaro Arbeloa stated that it was “none of my business” and that “each player does what they consider appropriate in their free time.” Still, a few of his comments were perceived as indirect criticism of his leading scorer.
Not tuxedos, but sweat and dirt
“Through effort and sacrifice, we built Real Madrid with players who finish games with shirts full of sweat and mud, not with players who play in tuxedos,” he stated.
Arbeloa continued, “a club where, fortunately, no player has ever been, is, or ever will be bigger than Real Madrid.”
When contacted by AFP, Mbappe’s team stated that “part of the criticism is based on an over-interpretation of elements linked to a recovery period that is strictly supervised by the club” and that it has nothing to do with “the reality of the commitment and daily work Kylian puts in for the team.”
Earlier this season on The Bridge, a podcast produced by his Real Madrid and France teammate Aurelien Tchouameni, the captain of France, who is used to sometimes excessive scrutiny, discussed his thinking.
“You might as well do what you want—at least then you stay true to yourself,” Mbappe remarked. “I’ve reached a point where you’re going to get criticized whatever you do.”
Separated in the changing area?
Mbappe is still by far Real Madrid’s top scorer with 41 goals in 41 games across all competitions this season. Despite this, he has faced harsh criticism since making a comeback from injury in the middle of March. Some commentators have accused him of taking an excessively individualistic stance.
Following Sunday’s victory, several supporters and commentators have cited remarks made by teammates Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham as indications of an increasing breach with the France captain.
“We played and battled together. Vinicius told Real Madrid TV, “When we play like that, we are better and stronger.” Meanwhile, Bellingham urged his teammates on Instagram to remain “together” and fully devoted “until the very last whistle” of the season.
Vinicius and Bellingham won the Champions League together prior to Mbappe’s arrival, and their cordial social media interactions have fueled rumors of a new ego conflict within the Madrid team.