Real Madrid’s Mbappe Holiday Sparks Backlash Ahead Of Clasico

Injured Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe has found himself at the centre of a growing backlash after a trip to Sardinia, with sections of the club’s fanbase openly questioning his commitment days before the Clasico against FC Barcelona.

The French forward, currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, travelled to Italy during rest days granted by the club to injured players including Thibaut Courtois and Arda Guler.

A picture circulating online showed Mbappe with a “Fuera (out)” stamp over his face. First shared by a satirical account, it quickly spread across the comments of official Real Madrid CF posts. An online petition has also begun to circulate urging fans to “make their voices heard”.

Photos of Mbappe alongside actress Ester Exposito added further fuel as Madrid prepared for a vital La Liga clash with RCD Espanyol.

The team won 2-0, delaying Barcelona’s title celebrations, yet the debate around their star striker intensified.

Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa insisted the trip was not his concern but his words were widely read as a pointed reminder of the club’s values.

“We didn’t build Real Madrid with players who play in tuxedos, but with players who finish matches with shirts full of sweat and mud, through effort and sacrifice,” he said.

Madrid is “a club where, fortunately, no player has ever been, is, or ever will be bigger than Real Madrid,” he added.

Mbappe’s camp pushed back, saying “Part of the criticisms are based on an overinterpretation of elements related to a recovery period strictly supervised by the club. This is NOT corresponding to the reality of the commitment and the work that Kylian does daily for the good of the team.”

Earlier this season, speaking on a podcast hosted by teammate Aurelien Tchouameni, Mbappe admitted scrutiny is unavoidable. “I’ve reached a point where you’re going to get criticised whatever you do, so you might as well do what you want, at least then you stay true to yourself,” he said.

Despite scoring 41 goals in 41 games, criticism of Mbappe has grown since his return from injury in March.