Real Madrid Supporters Criticise Mbappe's Holiday Amid Mounting Concerns Over Squad Tensions
For numerous Real Madrid supporters, the forward's trip to Italy, which took place during the rest period allowed by the club for injured players including Mbappe, Thibaut Courtois, and Arda Guler, represented the breaking point.
Gathering support via a popular image depicting Mbappe with a "Fuera (out)" mark across his face, initially uploaded by a parody profile and shared again in the replies to Real Madrid's official social media entries, various fans are now publicly urging the French talent to depart.
An digital campaign has also spread across online platforms, encouraging Real Madrid followers to "voice their opinions". "If you think reform is needed, stay active: endorse this initiative and protect what you see as ideal for the club's prospects," it states.
The situation intensified with viral images of Mbappe alongside performer Ester Exposito, shared on social channels while Real Madrid geared up for a vital La Liga encounter against Espanyol last weekend, aimed at postponing Barcelona's championship festivities.
Real Madrid secured a 2–0 victory in that game, and manager Alvaro Arbeloa subsequently emphasised that "every player handles their leisure time as they see fit" and that it was "not my concern". Yet, multiple of his statements were viewed as subtle digs at his top goalscorer.
Sweat and mud, not tuxedos
"We did not construct Real Madrid with athletes who appear in tuxedos, but with those who end games with jerseys soaked in sweat and mud, via dedication and perseverance," he remarked.
Real Madrid is "a team where, luckily, no athlete has been, is, or will be greater than Real Madrid," Arbeloa continued.
Reached by AFP, Mbappe's representatives noted that "some backlash stems from a misreading of aspects related to a rehabilitation phase that the club oversees precisely", and it has nothing to do with "the true dedication and routine effort Kylian invests in the squad".
The France skipper, familiar with intense examination at times, discussed his perspective earlier this term on The Bridge, a show led by his Real Madrid and France colleague Aurelien Tchouameni.
"I've arrived at a stage where criticism comes no matter what you choose, so you should just follow your path, at least that way you remain authentic," Mbappe explained.
Isolated in dressing room?
With 41 goals across 41 outings in all tournaments this term, Mbappe stands as Real Madrid's premier marksman by a wide margin. He has faced substantial backlash since resuming play after injury in mid-March, with certain analysts faulting him for an excessively self-focused style.
Per reports in Spanish outlets, Mbappe, irritated by another campaign at Madrid lacking a significant honour, is growing more detached within the locker room, even though he positioned himself as a key figure earlier in the year.
Certain supporters and experts have highlighted after-match remarks from teammates Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham following Sunday's triumph as indicators of an expanding divide with the France leader.
"We battled and performed as a unit. When we operate that way, we become superior and more robust," Vinicius shared with Real Madrid TV, as Bellingham motivated his colleagues on Instagram to remain "united" and totally engaged "right up to the final whistle" of the campaign.
Cordial interactions between Vinicius and Bellingham on social platforms, the duo having claimed the Champions League prior to Mbappe's joining, have additionally sparked rumours of fresh personality conflicts inside the Madrid lineup.