Kylian Mbappe has come to the defense of his Real Madrid teammates, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, after they were booed during the team’s recent victory over Levante. Mbappe emphasized that fans should express their displeasure towards the entire squad rather than targeting individual players.
The booing came in the wake of a disappointing period for Madrid, which saw them fall behind league leaders Barcelona by a point after Barcelona’s unexpected loss to Real Sociedad. The situation worsened for Madrid with a defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final on January 11, following which former coach Xabi Alonso was dismissed and replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa. Their woes continued as they were eliminated from the Copa del Rey by Albacete, a second-tier team.
In a Monday news conference, Mbappe expressed understanding of the fans’ frustration. “I used to watch football and when I was unhappy, I would speak badly about the players and boo them,” he stated. He maintained, however, that if booing was necessary, it should encompass the entire squad rather than focusing on just a couple of players.
Despite the backlash, Jude Bellingham has had a strong season, netting five goals and assisting four more in all competitions so far—an impressive tally compared to his performances last season. In contrast, Vinicius Junior is currently experiencing a rough patch, with fans expressing their dissatisfaction during games.
Bellingham downplayed the negative reaction, insisting that he feels the Madrid crowd isn’t against them, interpreting it instead as a reflection of fans’ anger that they hope will turn into support. Looking ahead to their Champions League match against Monaco, he is optimistic about winning back the fans’ favor.
New head coach Alvaro Arbeloa also weighed in on the situation, acknowledging the need for the squad to improve their performances. He noted the well-known nature of the Bernabeu crowd, stating, “They are fair,” and urged his players to demonstrate the exciting brand of football that fans expect. Arbeloa expressed his belief that both Vinicius and Bellingham need the support of the fans to thrive.
As the team prepares for their upcoming Champions League match, they remain poised in the automatic qualifying positions. They currently sit seventh in the standings, tied on points with Atletico Madrid, and ahead of Liverpool on goal difference. Madrid fans are hopeful that better performances will strengthen the bond between the players and their supporters, paving the way for a successful season ahead.