Training ground bust-ups, allegations of fights in the dressing room, and a player in hospital requiring stitches for a cut to the head.
It’s never quiet at reported that star striker Kylian Mbappe also clashed with a member of head coach Alvaro Arbeloa’s coaching staff during training before the 1-1 draw at Real Betis last month, with Mbappe reacting angrily to being called offside by the coach, who was acting as an assistant referee during an exercise.
Further tensions over Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe has been sidelined since injuring his hamstring in the 1-1 draw at Real Betis and the France forward sparked controversy after going on holiday to Sardinia with his girlfriend during his recovery period, with photos of Mbappe on a yaught surfacing last weekend while Real Madrid were playing against Espanyol.
Meanwhile, an online “Mbappe Out” petition was started by this week, and it has received millions of signatures already. Some Real Madrid fans are angry by suggestions that Mbappe is protecting himself for this summer’s World Cup, although there is a chance he returns to Sunday’s Clasico at Barcelona.
In the wake of the criticism, Mbappe’s representatives released a statement this week insisting he remains fully committed to his recovery. The statement said the criticism did not reflect “the reality of Kylian’s commitment and the work he puts in every day for the team”.
The story of Real Madrid’s season
Real Madrid are heading for their second trophyless season in a row. Barcelona are 11 points clear of them in LaLiga and will be crowned champions with a draw against Real Madrid in the Clasico on Sunday. And, in the 97 years of LaLiga, the title has never been won in this fixture.
This has been a troubled season for Madrid, who sacked former midfielder Xabi Alonso in January after just a few months in charge amid reports that Madrid’s star players did not want to engage with Alonso’s strict tactical instructions. Not for the first time, club president Florentino Perez sided with the dressing room.
Meanwhile, Madrid have still not found a way to successfully accommodate Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham in the same team, leading to further reports of tension between the team’s three biggest stars.
Alvaro Arbeloa was instilled as interim head coach until the end of the season, but the environment around Madrid means they will head in another direction at the end of the season. Jose Mourinho is adored by Perez, and has been linked with a sensational Bernabeu return.