Kylian Mbappe has come under heavy scrutiny in recent days following his trip to Italy during his recovery period.
The Real Madrid forward travelled with his partner Ester Exposito while his teammates were preparing for their La Liga clash against Espanyol.
The timing of that trip has not gone down well. It has sparked strong reactions from fans and also raised concerns within the club.
According to L’Equipe, the dressing room is not entirely pleased with the situation. Mbappe has remained silent throughout the criticism.
The French forward has not addressed the issue publicly, even as speculation continued to grow around his commitment.
There were even suggestions that his focus had shifted. Some reports claimed that he was already looking ahead to the World Cup after Real Madrid’s exit from the Champions League.
That narrative only added more pressure on the player. The situation became a talking point across Spanish media, with questions raised about his priorities during a crucial phase of the season.
Mbappe’s camp has now responded to the criticism and made their position clear. In a statement (quotes via Fabrizio Romano), they said:
“Part of the criticisms are based on an overinterpretation of elements related to a recovery period strictly supervised by the club.”
They also dismissed claims about his focus shifting away from Real Madrid.
“This is not corresponding to the reality of the commitment and the work that Kylian does daily for the good of the team.”
Despite that response, reports suggest there is still tension within the squad.
Kylian Mbappe is also believed to have been involved in a heated exchange with a member of Alvaro Arbeloa’s staff during training.
Real Madrid will now hope that the situation does not escalate further as they prepare for the upcoming El Clasico.
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