Back after three weeks out, Kylian Mbappé is already making headlines at Real Madrid. Coming off the bench against Atlético Madrid (3-2), the French forward has sparked debate following a performance deemed too quiet.
In a press conference, his coach Álvaro Arbeloa tried to ease tensions: “Every day, I try to field the best starting eleven. When you have the best player in the world, you have to make the most of him.” He added: “After a three-week absence, it’s normal to improve. Kylian delivered a good performance; he was a constant threat.”
Harsh criticism grows in Spanish media
But in Spain, criticism quickly followed. On the set of El Chiringuito, Josep Pedrerol was particularly harsh: “It’s a shame they finished with nine players, without Valverde… and without Mbappé.” He continued: “Arbeloa almost lost La Liga by bringing Mbappé on.”
The same tone came from AS, where Tomas Roncero did not hold back: “He came on for 25 minutes and did nothing but wander around the Bernabéu pitch.” The columnist also pointed to an attitude issue: “Kylian is incredibly talented, but he lacks the empathy needed to understand what this club requires.”
Comparisons with Vinícius Júnior are frequent: “Vini may make mistakes, but he makes them with heart.” A contrast that, according to the Madrid press, explains the doubts among part of the fanbase. On Carrusel Deportivo, the verdict was just as blunt: “He presses as usual, meaning he does nothing.” Despite everything, Álvaro Arbeloa remains confident: “With his national team, he will gain more playing time and come back even more prepared.” A clear message: Mbappé is expected, but not yet at 100%.
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