Real Madrid’s season is spiraling into chaos as mounting pressure around Kylian Mbappé collides with reports of internal conflicts, just days before a crucial Clásico against FC Barcelona.
Mbappé arrived at the Bernabéu with the promise of a new golden era. His numbers remain impressive—85 goals in 100 appearances—but the broader narrative has fallen short. For a second consecutive season, Real Madrid are on track to finish without either La Liga or the Champions League, a scenario that rarely goes unnoticed at a club of this pedigree.
While the on-field struggles are concerning, recent headlines have been dominated by off-pitch drama. Mbappé is currently recovering from a hamstring injury sustained against Real Betis in late April, leaving his availability for Sunday’s clash in doubt.
During his recovery, the French forward took a club-approved trip to Sardinia. However, images of Mbappé relaxing on a yacht surfaced while Madrid were playing against Espanyol, sparking outrage among fans.
“Mbappé can do whatever he wants in his free time, just like any other player,” head coach Álvaro Arbeloa said in defense.
The backlash was immediate and intense. A petition demanding Mbappé’s departure spread rapidly on social media, gathering over 30 million signatures—though the authenticity of many remains unverified. Still, the sheer scale reflects growing frustration as the season veers off course.
Mbappé’s representatives have since defended him, stating the criticism “does not reflect the reality of Kylian’s commitment and daily work for the team.”
The turmoil deepened with reports of a physical altercation between teammates Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni at the training ground. According to Spanish media, tensions escalated from an earlier dispute, culminating in an incident that left Valverde needing hospital assessment for a head injury.
Real Madrid later confirmed disciplinary proceedings against both players. The club also revealed that Valverde suffered a “cranioencephalic traumatism” and will be sidelined for 10 to 14 days, ruling him out of Sunday’s Clásico.
