Kylian Mbappé (28, Real Madrid) is facing growing criticism. After being sidelined with an injury, images surfaced of him spending time in Paris, France, and Sardinia, Italy, on holiday, prompting strong backlash from some fans.
U.S. outlet ESPN reported on the 6th (Korea time) that a representative for Mbappé told Agence France-Presse that he refuted recent criticism, saying some of the current criticism is an excessive interpretation of Real Madrid's strictly managed recovery process.
Mbappé suffered a hamstring injury on April 24 in a Spanish La Liga match against Real Betis. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, and Mbappé has not been able to play since. The problem has been his movements during the injury absence. After recent images showed Mbappé resting in Paris and Sardinia, criticism grew among Real Madrid fans and local media.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with an injured player resting. But the timing was poor. Real Madrid is currently on the brink in the league title race. They kept hope alive by beating Espanyol 2-0 on the 4th, but they still sit second, 11 points behind Barcelona. Only four matches remain in the league. If they fail to win the upcoming El Clásico, Barcelona's title is likely to be confirmed.
In this situation, the fact that the team's key striker Mbappé is absent due to injury and was photographed on holiday only intensified fans' dissatisfaction. To Real Madrid fans, Mbappé is more than a mere striker. He is a superstar signed amid huge expectations. This season he has been overwhelming individually with 24 league goals and 15 goals in the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League. However, the team's performance has fallen short of expectations.
Mbappé's camp drew a clear line. A representative emphasized that such criticism does not properly reflect Mbappé's dedication and his daily efforts for the team. They argued that the injury recovery process is being conducted under club supervision and that criticizing how he spends his free time is excessive.
Coach Álvaro Arbeloa also defended Mbappé. He said, "All schedules for injured players are conducted under the supervision of Real Madrid medical staff. Players may spend their personal time as they wish. I do not doubt the players' dedication." The coach stepped in personally to contain the spread of the controversy.
But Real Madrid's reality is harsh. Since the dismissal of coach Xabi Alonso in January, the season has continued under Arbeloa, but the title race is unfavorable. Mbappé also faces a growing possibility of finishing the season without a major trophy for the second consecutive season since joining Real in 2024.
Ultimately all eyes turn to El Clásico. Arbeloa said he will continue to monitor Mbappé's availability. However, initial examinations suggested the absence could be longer than expected. If Mbappé cannot return, Real will have to stake their fate at the most important moment without their ace. It is a reality more painful than the holiday controversy.
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