An online petition calling for Kylian Mbappe to leave Real Madrid is rapidly approaching 50 million signatures as internal issues at the club escalate, according to reports. The unrest follows an incident on Thursday that saw midfielder Federico Valverde taken to hospital after an altercation with teammate Aurelien Tchouameni.
The situation unfolds as Real Madrid prepare for a crucial El Clasico clash against Barcelona on Sunday, where a victory for their rivals would secure the LaLiga title. Mbappe has found himself at the centre of criticism, stemming from an alleged disagreement with a member of the coaching staff prior to the match against Real Betis on April 24th.
Further fueling fan discontent, Mbappe reportedly took a trip to Italy with his partner while sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained during the Betis game. Many supporters have expressed frustration at what they perceive as a lack of commitment while the team faced challenges.
Spanish football journalist Graham Hunter detailed the situation on the Off The Ball podcast, explaining that Mbappe received a treatment plan for his injury, but then chose to travel to Italy and was photographed enjoying leisure activities. Hunter noted that while assistant coach Arbeloa criticized the team’s running stats and work ethic generally, the message was widely interpreted as being directed at Mbappe. Hunter added that there is a growing dissatisfaction among fans, the media, and even some players regarding Mbappe’s perceived attitude, suggesting he is attempting to impose his approach from Paris Saint-Germain onto his new club.
Despite the ongoing controversy, Mbappe was observed laughing as he left the club’s training ground on Thursday, ahead of the important match against Barcelona. The club has yet to officially comment on the petition or the extent of the internal issues. The incident comes as Real Madrid are said to be investigating the altercation between Valverde and Tchouameni, with United reportedly monitoring Tchouameni’s situation.
