Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will meet with Kylian Mbappe in the coming days to address tensions following the striker’s recent explosive interview, according to AS reporter Jose Felix Diaz. The meeting aims to ‘restore order’ after Mbappe publicly criticised the club and interim manager Alvaro Arbeloa.
The France captain was jeered by supporters upon his return from injury during Thursday’s 2-0 win over Real Oviedo, after images surfaced of him on holiday in Sardinia while sidelined. Over 70 million people have signed an online petition calling for his departure. Mbappe subsequently stated he feels like the ‘fourth-choice striker’ under Arbeloa, favouring Vinicius Junior, Gonzalo Garcia and Franco Mastantuono.
The forward also praised former coach Xabi Alonso, further exacerbating the situation. Incoming manager Jose Mourinho has been tasked with reintegrating Mbappe and winning back the support of the fans. The club views the 25-year-old as a ‘cornerstone’ of their long-term project, but Perez has demonstrated a willingness to make difficult decisions, previously allowing Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos to leave.
Perez will ‘place the institution above the individual’ if necessary, and has asked Mourinho to ‘restore discipline’ to the squad. This includes addressing fractured relationships within the team, such as those between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni, and Alvaro Carreras and Antonio Rudiger. Despite the issues, a sale of Mbappe is not currently being considered, although ‘nobody is regarded as untouchable’.
Meanwhile, former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has advised the club to avoid pursuing a move for Mbappe, citing concerns about his work rate and team ethic. Meulensteen believes Mbappe’s style of play would not suit a manager like Luis Enrique or Pep Guardiola, who prioritise collective pressing and defensive responsibility. He pointed to PSG’s Champions League success after the departures of Lionel Messi and Neymar as evidence of the benefits of a more unified team.
Mourinho has already acknowledged the challenging situation Arbeloa faces at the Bernabeu.
