Kylian Mbappé gets angry reception on Real Madrid return

Real Madrid fans whistled Kylian Mbappé on his return to the field on Thursday, making their feelings heard at the end of a bleak season in the Spanish capital.

For a second consecutive year, Madrid will end this season without any major trophies. Mbappé, who joined the team two years, has been criticized in some quarters for his performances in that time. The reaction to his entrance in a 2-0 victory over Real Oviedo made clear that fans are not happy with his contribution to this team.

On Thursday he entered as a second-half substitute and was immediately whistled by the Santiago Bernabéu. He was quickly involved in the play but every touch was met with whistles, a sign of displeasure in Spanish soccer. The Frenchman sought to shake off the negative reaction and was proactive in his play, smiling and joking with teammates on the field.

Mbappé absence fuels Madrid anger

Mbappé had missed the two previous Real Madrid games due to a muscular injury, the latest in a string of niggling fitness issues since his move to Spain. The most recent absences were particularly controversial because they came as the team had reached a lowest ebb on the field, conceding the LaLiga title with a defeat to Barcelona in El Clasico.

Missing those games due to injury, Mbappé would have been expected to be at the stadium to support his teammates. Instead, Mbappé traveled to Italy for a mid-season vacation with his partner, Spanish actress Ester Expósito. That decision was widely criticized in Spain and likely contributed to the frosty reception that the forward received on Thursday.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.