Kylian Mbappé returned to Madrid shortly before kick-off against Espanyol after a short trip to Italy, landing in the Spanish capital around 12 minutes before the match began, and that timing, combined with the visibility of the trip on social media, has drawn criticism from supporters and prompted reports of unease within the Real Madrid dressing room during a period where results have already placed the squad under pressure, with the player’s representatives issuing a statement rejecting suggestions of a lack of commitment and describing the criticism as an over-interpretation of a recovery period supervised by the club.
The trip, the timing and the reaction
Mbappé traveled to Sardinia, where he was photographed in Cagliari with Spanish actress and model Ester Expósito, with images showing the pair on a yacht and walking through the city. Reports claim Mbappé has been dating Expósito, who rose to stardom in Spain thanks to her starring role in the Netflix series Elite (2018–2021). The images circulated widely online as Madrid prepared for their league fixture. The forward had been given permission to take time away from the club after sustaining a hamstring injury in the 1–1 draw with Real Betis the previous month, and manager Álvaro Arbeloa addressed that directly. “All planning regarding injured players is always overseen by Real Madrid’s medical staff, who determine when they need to go to Valdebebas and when they don’t,” Arbeloa said. “In his free time, Mbappé can do whatever he sees fit, like any other player.” Madrid went on to win the match 2–0, but the focus shifted quickly to the visibility of Mbappé’s trip, particularly because it took place while the team prepared for a key run-in. Reports in AS described the situation as having “caused confusion and unease” inside the club, adding that there had been “little appreciation for how visible Mbappé’s trip became on social media,” with the level of exposure described as difficult to understand given the timing.
Dressing-room distance and internal tension
Those reports extend beyond supporter reaction and point to a wider shift in how Mbappé is perceived within the squad, with the same coverage suggesting that the level of visibility around the trip has “created distance” between the player and the dressing room. Separate reporting has also described a “worsening of the mood” around Madrid in recent weeks, including mention of a heated exchange between Mbappé and a member of the coaching staff during a training session in late April. Coverage in Marca has suggested that Mbappé has become more isolated within the group, with references to “controversial attitudes” that have not been well received, while also noting that although he remains on good personal terms with Vinícius Júnior, including a recent dinner with their partners, there is an ongoing “power struggle” within the team dynamic that is described as favoring the Brazilian when it comes to collective response on the pitch. The reaction among supporters has followed a similar pattern, with criticism building despite Mbappé’s individual output, and an online petition calling for his sale gathering more than two million signatures, accompanied by images of the forward with “Mbappé Out” and “FUERA” used across social media platforms.
Performance, results and where the criticism comes from
Mbappé has scored 41 goals in 41 matches this season, making him Madridp’s leading scorer, and he won the La Liga top goalscorer award in his first season after joining from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024, while also competing to break scoring records in the Champions League. Those numbers have not translated into team success at the same level, with Madrid already eliminated from the Champions League and the Copa del Rey and left with only the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup, both one-off competitions, to show for the campaign.
Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe reacts after missing a scoring chance during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
The league situation has added to the pressure, with Barcelona 11 points clear with four matches remaining, a gap that leaves Madrid effectively out of contention for the title and facing the prospect of a rare season without a major domestic or European trophy. That context has shaped how individual actions are being judged, particularly when they occur away from the pitch.
Mbappé’s response and the club’s position
Mbappé’s representatives issued a statement denying any lack of commitment and pushing back against how the situation has been interpreted. “Part of the criticism is based on an over-interpretation of elements related to a recovery period strictly supervised by the club, without reflecting the reality of Kylian’s commitment and the work he puts in every day for the team,” the statement said, as reported by AFP and carried by The Guardian. The statement also made clear that the recovery process remains under club supervision, and Spanish media have reported that Mbappé attended Valdebebas on a scheduled day off to continue his rehabilitation work. Arbeloa, speaking after the win over Espanyol, added: “I don’t doubt the commitment of any of my players.” There has been no official statement from the club addressing the wider reports about dressing-room reaction, and it remains unclear how those internal discussions, if they exist, are being handled as Madrid approach the final weeks of the season and prepare for a summer that may reshape both the squad and the scrutiny around it.
