The Mbappe Real Madrid row is escalating following news of dressing room unrest prior to the much anticipated El Clasico match. Kylian Mbappe has been in the limelight but not because of his performances but due to his off-pitch activities. The forward has been a key contributor during the 2025–26 season. His new wound though has changed the emphasis. Mbappe sustained a muscle injury in one of his matches against Real Betis, and was forced to leave the field towards the end of the game.
The problem made him unavailable in the next game against Espanyol and questioned whether he was fit to play the next Clasico. What has been controversial is the aftermath of everything. Pictures of Mbappe having a good time in Cagliari and Sardinia became viral. This was at the time when Real Madrid were about to face a big game. This time was not well received by fans.
More to the point, reports have indicated that it even influenced the dressing room mood. Certain teammates have been quoted as being displeased with the fact that an injured player was travelling to another country rather than being with the team during a critical point in the season. As Barcelona is near winning the title, Real Madrid must be more focused and united. It may affect their performance during the last stretch due to any distraction. This scenario brings into the limelight a bigger problem.
The contemporary football is not only about what is done on the field. The perception and professionalism are equally important. The ruling made by Mbappe may not have been against the rule, but has cast doubt on it. With El Clasico nearing, all attention will be on Mbappe. Not merely out of his own physically to do so, but also to answer this increasingly frequent criticism.
