Mbappé's Real Madrid Stint Marred by Off-Field Disputes and Fan Backlash

Key facts

• Kylian Mbappé has scored 85 goals in 100 appearances for Real Madrid.
• Real Madrid faces a second successive season without winning La Liga or the Champions League.
• Mbappé sustained a hamstring injury on April 24 against Real Betis.
• An online petition calling for 'Mbappé out' garnered over 12 million signatures in under 24 hours.
• Antonio Rudiger apologized after a heated dressing room argument with a teammate in April.
• Mbappé had a dispute with a coaching staff member over an offside call during training.
• Mbappé took time off for a trip to Sardinia while recovering from injury.

A Season of Unfulfilled Expectations

Kylian Mbappé's tenure at Real Madrid has not unfolded as widely anticipated, casting a shadow over his second season with the Spanish giants. Despite a formidable scoring record of 85 goals in 100 appearances since his arrival at the Bernabéu, the club is poised for a second consecutive year without securing either the La Liga title or the coveted Champions League trophy. For a club with such a rich history, boasting 36 league titles and 15 European Cups, this barren spell is deemed unacceptable by many. Mounting fan frustration and whispers of discord within the dressing room have prompted an examination of how Mbappé's challenging second season has spiralled. The French forward is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, sustained in late April during a match against Real Betis, casting doubt over his availability for the crucial Clasico clash against Barcelona. Real Madrid must win this fixture to deny their rivals the league title. Instead of on-field heroics, recent attention has pivoted to events transpiring away from the training ground. Mbappé was granted time off last week to recover, during which he travelled to Sardinia. Although approved by the club, this trip did not resonate well with supporters, particularly given the team's precarious situation. Photographs of the player on a yacht surfaced concurrently with Real Madrid's match against Espanyol.

Behind the Scenes Tensions Surface

The atmosphere at Real Madrid has been further unsettled by flashpoints involving senior players, including Kylian Mbappé, since the team's Champions League elimination by Bayern Munich last month. These incidents continue to impact the squad's preparations for a decisive Clasico this Sunday. One significant event occurred in April when Antonio Rudiger engaged in a heated argument with another first-team player in the dressing rooms at Real Madrid's training complex. Multiple sources confirmed to The Athletic that the confrontation was initiated by Rudiger. The German international later extended an apology for his conduct and, this past Friday, hosted his teammates and their families for a meal. Following this, another dispute arose, this time between Mbappé and a member of Real Madrid's coaching staff, shortly before the team's trip to face Real Betis on April 24. Mbappé reportedly spoke in an angry and insulting manner towards the staff member, who was acting as an assistant referee during a training exercise and had called the player offside. While such occurrences are not unusual in elite football and neither Rudiger nor Mbappé have faced formal internal punishment, these incidents have demonstrably contributed to a deteriorating mood around the club.

Fan Outrage and a Viral Petition

Mbappé's actions have drawn criticism from many within and around Real Madrid. Several individuals, including staff members and representatives of other players, have voiced their disapproval of both the player and the club for not adopting a more stringent approach. Beyond the training ground incident with the coach, the 27-year-old Frenchman has also faced internal censure for a trip to Italy with his partner during his recovery period. Mbappé is currently recuperating from the hamstring injury he sustained in the April 24th match against Betis and was granted a few days off last week. He returned to the Spanish capital on Sunday evening, just before Real Madrid's away fixture against Espanyol, where Vinicius Jr.'s two goals secured a 2-0 victory. Many supporters felt Mbappé should not have taken a break while the team navigated a difficult period. Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa addressed the player's absence and trip on three separate occasions during his post-match press conference. "In their free time, each player does what they see fit, and I don’t get involved in that," the 43-year-old manager stated. "All planning regarding injured players is supervised and managed by Madrid’s medical staff, who are the ones who decide when they need to go to Valdebebas (the club’s training centre) and when they don’t." The discontent has spurred organised fan action. An online petition demanding 'Mbappé out' has rapidly circulated across social media platforms, urging fans to call for change and express their views on the player's future at the club. In less than 24 hours, the petition had garnered over 12 million signatures. While the exact number of genuine Real Madrid supporters among the signatories remains unknown, this backlash has emerged at a particularly sensitive juncture for the club.

Injury Concerns Ahead of Crucial Fixtures

Kylian Mbappé continues his recovery away from the main squad in the days leading up to El Clásico against Barcelona. The French star is still recuperating from the muscle injury he picked up against Betis and is scheduled for an MRI scan on Thursday. This diagnostic imaging will be crucial in determining his readiness to face Barcelona on Sunday. Real Madrid and Mbappé are adopting a cautious approach to his recovery, mindful that the club has little left to play for this season in terms of major trophies. A relapse of his injury would be detrimental to the player, especially with the FIFA World Cup looming just a month away. Nevertheless, there remains a possibility that Mbappé's rehabilitation process will prove successful, potentially enabling him to feature at the Camp Nou.

The bottom line

• Kylian Mbappé's Real Madrid career is under scrutiny due to a lack of major trophies in his second season.
• Off-field incidents, including a dispute with a coach and a controversial holiday, have fueled fan discontent.
• A viral online petition demanding Mbappé's departure has gained significant traction.
• The club faces internal friction, highlighted by an altercation involving defender Antonio Rudiger.
• Mbappé is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, jeopardizing his participation in key matches.
• Real Madrid's medical staff will prioritize player safety, especially with the FIFA World Cup on the horizon.