Kylian Mbappe found himself at the center of another storm in Spain after a luxury getaway to Sardinia sparked outrage among some Real Madrid fans ahead of Sunday’s thrilling clash with FC Barcelona in El Clásico.
The French superstar, currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, traveled to the Italian island during the club’s granted time off for injured players. While his teammates were recovering peacefully, photos of Mbappe’s vacation quickly circulated on social media—and not everyone was impressed.
Outraged fans flooded online platforms with criticism, with some sharing an edited photo with the words “Fuera” (Getaway) written across Mbappe’s face. A petition also circulated online calling on fans to “defend the club’s future” by expressing their opposition to the striker.
The backlash intensified after widely circulated photos showed Mbappé alongside actress Ester Expósito, just before Madrid prepared for a crucial La Liga clash with Espanyol, attempting to delay Barcelona’s title celebration.
Although Madrid secured a comfortable 2-0 victory, the controversy persisted.
Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa attempted to publicly defuse tensions, insisting that players were free to enjoy their personal time. However, some of his comments were interpreted by fans and media as subtle criticism of Mbappé.
“We didn’t build Real Madrid with players who played in tuxedos,” Arbeloa said.
“We built it with players who finish matches with their shirts covered in sweat and mud.”
He also made a powerful point about the club’s culture.
“No player has ever been, is, or ever will be bigger than Real Madrid.”
Despite the mounting media hype, Mbappe’s camp insists the criticism is unfair and exaggerated, emphasizing that his recovery schedule is fully overseen by the club and doesn’t indicate a lack of commitment.
The French captain himself seemed to anticipate this level of criticism earlier this season, during an appearance on teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni’s podcast.
“You’re going to be criticized, whatever you do,” Mbappe said.
“So you might as well stay true to yourself.”
Despite this, speculation surrounding the 27-year-old continues to intensify. Spanish media reports that Mbappe is increasingly isolated in the dressing room due to frustration over another season without major trophies.
Comments from teammates Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham after Real Madrid’s recent victory have only fueled rumors of growing tension within the team.
“When we play together, we’re stronger,” said Vinícius, while Bellingham declared that the team will “stick together until the final whistle” of the season.
With 41 goals in 41 matches, Mbappe remains Real Madrid’s clear leading scorer. However, as El Clásico approaches, the focus has shifted from goals to questions about attitude, unity, and whether the club’s newest Galáctico is already losing loyal Bernabéu fans.
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