Disappointment grows as star player misses El Clásico due to injury and personal choices
Category: Sports
Kylian Mbappé was absent from the Real Madrid squad that lost 2-0 to Barcelona on May 10, 2026, a result that secured the La Liga title for their fierce rivals. Instead of joining his teammates at the Spotify Camp Nou, the 27-year-old striker watched the match from home in Madrid, posting an Instagram Story during the game that drew criticism. The post featured a simple photo of his TV screen with a caption supporting his teammates, but it was shared after Madrid had already fallen behind 2-0, prompting backlash from fans and staff alike.
The growing discontent surrounding Mbappé stems from a series of incidents that have raised eyebrows within the club. His last appearance for Madrid was on April 24, 2026, when he played in a 1-1 draw against Real Betis. During that match, he requested to be substituted due to a hamstring issue. Following the game, Mbappé was granted time off for recovery but chose to travel to Italy with his partner, a decision that did not sit well with club officials.
Upon his return to Madrid shortly before the May 3 match against Espanyol, there was uncertainty about his fitness for the upcoming El Clásico. In the days leading up to the match, conflicting reports emerged, with hopes that he would be fit to play. Yet, the reality was starkly different. Club medical staff deemed him unfit for the entire week leading up to the match, leading to frustrations among the coaching staff.
On May 9, during the final training session before the match, Mbappé trained with the team but left abruptly after reporting discomfort in his hamstrings. This sudden exit caught the technical team off guard, as they had felt optimistic about his recovery from a previous quad injury. "The club's official line is that Kylian Mbappé hasn’t reached the competitive fitness levels required for a game of this magnitude," reported Yahoo Sports.
Real Madrid's locker room atmosphere has been described as volatile, exacerbated by a recent physical altercation between players Aurélien Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde, which left Valverde hospitalized. Both players were fined €500,000 by the club, a move that reflects the growing tensions within the squad. Other notable absences for the match included Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Rodrygo, Arda Güler, and Ferland Mendy, leaving the team significantly weakened.
Head coach Álvaro Arbeloa expressed disappointment in his post-match comments, stating, "There are two weeks left and depending on how his discomfort evolves, we will see whether he can play." The uncertainty surrounding Mbappé's return has led to speculation that he may prefer to avoid playing at the Bernabéu this season, especially after being jeered by home fans in previous matches.
The atmosphere around Mbappé has also been complicated by a reported training-ground incident involving a confrontation with a coaching staff member. This event has contributed to the sense of a deteriorating environment at the club, as highlighted by a source who noted, "There is growing disappointment with Mbappé at various levels within Madrid." The player's camp responded to the criticism, stating, "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 accurately represent Kylian’s commitment and daily work for the team."
Looking ahead, Real Madrid still has three matches remaining in La Liga, with fixtures against Real Oviedo, Sevilla, and Athletic Club. The uncertainty surrounding Mbappé's fitness hangs large over these games, as fans and management alike question when, or if, he will return to the pitch. The club has not communicated directly about his condition, which is unusual for Madrid, known for its transparency in such matters.
The developments surrounding Mbappé come at a time when the club is also contemplating a managerial change, with José Mourinho reportedly being favored by club president Florentino Pérez to replace Arbeloa. Mourinho's agent has been in discussions with the club, outlining potential plans for the future. As the season approaches its end, both the managerial and player situations present a challenging scenario for Madrid.
In the aftermath of these controversies and injuries, the focus now shifts to how Real Madrid will navigate the rest of the season without its star forward. With fans eager for answers and clarity on the team's direction, the pressure is mounting on both the players and management to deliver results in the final stretch of the campaign.
As of now, the next match against Real Oviedo is scheduled for May 14, 2026. The outcome of this game could have implications not just for the league standings but also for the future of key players and the coaching staff at Real Madrid.