Mbappé Speaks Out Against Fan Treatment of Vinícius
Kylian Mbappé has publicly criticized Real Madrid fans for their behavior during a recent Spanish league match. The star forward expressed his disappointment with supporters who singled out Vinícius Júnior for booing during Saturday's game against Levante.
Understanding Fans But Disagreeing With Approach
Mbappé addressed the media on Monday ahead of Real Madrid's crucial Champions League clash against Monaco. He acknowledged that fans have every right to express their frustration when the team performs poorly. "I understand the fans," Mbappé stated. "Before I became a professional player, I was just a young football fan who would criticize and share opinions. I completely get the booing."
However, the French international made his position clear about how this criticism should be directed. "If they're going to boo, they should boo the whole squad, not just a few players. We're all playing poorly right now," he emphasized.
A Difficult Week for Real Madrid
The incident occurred during Real Madrid's 2-0 victory over Levante, which ended a troubling slide in form for the Spanish giants. This win came after consecutive disappointments including a loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final and an embarrassing Copa del Rey elimination against second-division club Albacete.
During the Levante match, the Santiago Bernabéu crowd made their displeasure known specifically toward Vinícius. Supporters jeered loudly when the Brazilian forward's name was announced before kickoff and continued their negative reactions nearly every time he touched the ball.
Protecting Teammates From Unfair Criticism
Mbappé defended his teammate vigorously, arguing that Vinícius shouldn't bear individual responsibility for the team's collective struggles. "It's not Vini's fault we're not playing as well as we'd like. The whole squad is to blame," he asserted.
The forward also revealed how the criticism has affected Vinícius personally. "Vini is a human being. It's normal to be affected when people speak negatively about you. Sometimes it's fair, sometimes it's not," Mbappé explained. He praised his teammate's character and abilities, calling him "a fantastic player" and "an incredible man."
Mbappé stressed the team's responsibility to support their colleague. "We as a team have to protect him better so he's not in this position of being alone against everyone. We're going to protect him so he can give us his best, because when he's at his best, he's one of the best in the world."
Broader Discontent Among Supporters
The booing wasn't limited to Vinícius alone. Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde also faced similar treatment from sections of the Madrid crowd. Many observers believe this discontent stems from perceptions that these players weren't fully supportive of former coach Xabi Alonso, who was dismissed following the Spanish Super Cup defeat.
Alonso has since been replaced by former B-team coach Álvaro Arbeloa. Mbappé spoke about his relationship with the departed manager, saying "I had a wonderful relationship with him" and wishing him well in his future endeavors.
Looking Forward to Champions League Challenge
Mbappé acknowledged that "it hasn't been an easy week" for Real Madrid but sees the upcoming Champions League match as a potential turning point. "We have to show our character to change these kinds of circumstances and to get everyone back on side," he stated.
The forward believes supporters want to back the team but emphasized that players must earn that support through their performances. "I think the fans are eager to give us their support, but we have to earn it. We have to keep fighting for all the titles, and tomorrow the most important thing is the Champions League."
Real Madrid currently sits seventh in the Champions League group phase and trails Barcelona by just one point in the Spanish league standings. The team faces Monaco on Tuesday in what Mbappé hopes will be a demonstration of their collective strength and determination.
