News Focus
- Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez is reportedly furious with Kylian Mbappé over a controversial trip to Sardinia during his injury recovery.
- The French striker returned to Madrid on a private jet during Saturday’s match against Espanyol, sparking criticism from fans and staff.
- Manager Alvaro Arbeloa has publicly questioned player commitment without naming names, while teammates reportedly favour Vinicius Junior over Mbappé.
- Medical tests on Wednesday will decide if Mbappé can play in this weekend’s El Clásico against Barcelona, though Pérez expects him to feature.
- Barcelona are actively scouting a 25-year-old England forward and a Serie A defender as they prepare for the transfer window.
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has reportedly run out of patience with Kylian Mbappé. The club’s top scorer faces serious criticism after travelling to Sardinia with his partner while recovering from a hamstring problem.
The French international returned to the Spanish capital on a private plane last weekend. His arrival at the airport coincided with Real Madrid’s crucial La Liga clash against Espanyol. Supporters and officials viewed the public return as disrespectful.
Manager Alvaro Arbeloa refused to name Mbappé directly. However, he clearly questioned the dedication of certain squad members during his press briefing. Leading Spanish newspapers claim the dressing room feels disappointed with the forward’s recent actions.
This follows a similar incident in March when Mbappé visited Paris while injured. Team-mates now reportedly feel distant from him. Sources suggest the squad shows far greater loyalty towards Vinicius Junior than towards the former Paris Saint-Germain star.
Club directors had granted permission for Mbappé to rehabilitate in Cagliari. Nevertheless, his high-profile return to Madrid caused embarrassment. Officials had hoped for a discreet arrival away from media cameras.
Medical staff will assess the striker on Wednesday. They must determine if his thigh injury has healed sufficiently for the weekend’s El Clásico. Real Madrid travel to Barcelona’s ground for this vital league fixture.
Pérez insists Mbappé must play against the Catalan giants regardless of the test outcomes. The president wants the player to prove his loyalty to the badge. The club has endured two seasons without silverware and faces mounting pressure to defeat their rivals.
In other news, Real Madrid face further defensive troubles. A second centre-back requires surgery following the win over Espanyol. Meanwhile, Barcelona continue their search for reinforcements. The Catalan side targets a 25-year-old English attacker as cover for Raphinha. They also track a Serie A centre-half as an alternative to Alessandro Bastoni.