Real Madrid Star Kylian Mbappes Future in Question Amid Fan Protests

A petition calling for Kylian Mbappe’s removal from Real Madrid’s squad has garnered significant attention online, collecting over 33 million signatures. The petition, titled “Mbappe Out,” was created with an initial goal of 200,000 but has far exceeded that target.

The petition appears to have gained traction on Tuesday, with its website featuring a single-page design and a tagline encouraging fans to express their opinions on the club’s future. The display includes a photo of Mbappe with actress Ester Exposito on a yacht in Sardinia, which has sparked controversy among fans.

According to reports, Mbappe was given time off to recover from a thigh injury sustained last month, and some fans believe he should have stayed in Italy instead of taking a vacation. The club has not provided an update on whether Mbappe will be fit for the upcoming match against Barcelona.

Social media platforms are abuzz with the number of signatories, which is nearly half the population of France and greater than the population of many countries participating in the FIFA World Cup. However, it’s unclear how many of the signatories are actual Real Madrid fans or if some signed multiple times due to the petition’s lack of personal details.

Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa has addressed the controversy, stating that all planning with injured players is supervised by the medical staff and that Mbappe can do as he pleases in his free time. The club has also been monitoring Mbappe’s recovery and has not indicated that the trip could have affected his rehabilitation process.

Mbappe is expected to be fully fit for France’s World Cup 2026 campaign, which begins in June and July.

Source: Al Jazeera