Over 30million ‘Real Madrid fans’ have signed a petition demanding star striker Kylian Mbappe is sold this summer with organisers claiming it is “best for the club’s future”.
Mbappe has become a symbol for Madrid’s current woes and received widespread criticism for his decision to leave the camp last weekend and go on holiday with his girlfriend.
The France striker is currently working his way back from a hamstring injury sustained against Real Betis on April 24 and fighting to be fit for Sunday’s El Clasico clash with arch rivals Barcelona at Camp Nou.
But rather than stay with the rest of the squad and focus on his recovery, Mbappe was pictured over the weekend relaxing on a yacht off the coast of Sardinia.
It led to his representatives releasing a statement defending their client that read: “A portion of the criticism is based on an over-interpretation of elements related to a recovery period strictly supervised by the club, and does not reflect the reality of Kylian’s commitment and daily work for the team.”
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Real Madrid fans target Mbappe despite individual success
Mbappe has scored 41 goals in 41 games in all competitions this season but Madrid still look highly likely to finish without a trophy. Indeed, Barcelona need just a draw on Sunday to retain the title.
And the lack of collective success has prompted an online campaign calling for the 27-year-old to be sold. Although a petition of this nature is open to manipulation – it is highly likely thousands of Barca fans have mischievously given it a click – it does give an indication of the current ill feeling towards the former Paris Saint-Germain star.
Underneath a graphic that reads Mbappe Out, the reasoning on the website www.mbappeout.replit.app reads: “Madridistas, make your voice heard. If you believe change is needed, don’t stay silent — sign this petition and stand for what you think is best for the club’s future.”
Mbappe safe at Real Madrid but others may move on
Mbappe almost certainly won’t be sold by Madrid this summer. He is their best player and most valuable commercial asset.
However, there will undoubtedly be changes at the Santiago Bernabéu after a miserable season that has seen underwhelming performances on the field and numerous stories of discord off it.
Just yesterday, left-back Alvaro Carreras felt it necessary to defend his relationship with his team-mates, and also confirm he had been involved in an altercation with centre-half Antonio Rudiger.
Reports suggested Carreras had been slapped by the Germany international in a training ground fracas in February after senior colleagues expressed their unhappiness with his attitude.
Carreras wrote on Instagram: “In recent days, certain insinuations and comments about me have emerged that do not correspond to reality.
“My commitment to this club and to the coaches I’ve had has been unwavering since day one, and it will continue to be so. Since I returned, I have always worked with the highest level of professionalism, respect, and dedication. I have fought very hard to fulfill my dream of returning home.
“Regarding the incident with a team-mate, it was an isolated matter without importance that has already been resolved. My relationship with the entire team is very good.”
Madrid has looked a largely unhappy club for much of the campaign with Xabi Alonso’s short tenure ending in January amid claims of player unrest while his successor Alvaro Arbeloa seems certain to leave this summer after failing to oversee an improvement.
Whoever comes in will have to inspire a dressing room of egos and return them back to the top of the domestic and continental game.
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