Kylian Mbappe defends Jude Bellingham amid Real Madrid fan backlash
Kylian Mbappe has come to the defence of teammate Jude Bellingham following criticism from Real Madrid supporters who blamed the England midfielder for Xabi Alonso’s departure from the club, reports BritPanorama.
The Bernabeu faithful expressed their discontent towards both Bellingham and Vinicius Junior during Real’s 2-0 LaLiga victory against Levante.
This backlash coincided with Alonso’s sacking from the managerial role after a defeat against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup. The situation was exacerbated by an unexpected elimination from the Copa del Rey at the hands of Almeria, fuelling an already discontented fanbase.
As frustration grew among supporters, it extended beyond criticism of individual players, with calls for club president Florentino Perez to resign from his position. Such demonstrations illustrate the significant unrest from a fanbase historically accustomed to success.
In support of Bellingham, Mbappe urged fans to refrain from targeting specific individuals within the squad. He stressed the need for collective accountability, stating that any dissatisfaction should be directed at the team as a whole rather than isolated players following recent setbacks.
Speaking on the circumstances, Mbappe acknowledged: “It’s tough, for everyone. We can accept that the fans aren’t happy.” He believed that the players are responsible for improving the situation, pointing to their league victory and forthcoming Champions League matches as vital opportunities for regaining confidence.
Furthermore, Mbappe expressed understanding for the supporters’ frustrations while voicing concerns over how criticism had been directed. “If they whistle, they should whistle the whole squad,” he commented, reinforcing the point that accountability lies within the entire team rather than on individual shoulders.
Real Madrid’s upcoming match against Monaco, scheduled for tonight, presents an opportunity for the club to address discontent and begin restoring faith among their supporters. Currently, they sit seventh in the Champions League standings, having secured four wins in six games thus far.
In this turbulent period, Mbappe’s support for Bellingham signals the unity within the squad, even amidst the noise of discontent from the stands. For players, it’s always a balancing act, where even the brightest stars can experience a shadow of doubt cast by expectations.
