Injury row, yacht trip & petition - what's going on with Mbappe?

"After last week's tests, it looked as though it might take a bit longer."

'The jury is out with Mbappe'

In Spain, we are famous for making stories out of the little that we see of players.

In the weeks in which Real Madrid have been poor, part of the debate is why doesn't Mbappe run more, why doesn't Mbappe work well with Vinicius Jr, why it is now two years without winning anything with Mbappe in the team?

In my eyes, this completely the wrong debate - everybody wants Mbappe and having him is not a problem, the problems lie elsewhere.

But in the middle of that, if you see Mbappe on holiday with his girlfriend, having a good time - despite the fact he has been following to the letter all the medical advice and everything he has to do to recover - or if you get him landing in Madrid in a private jet just 18 minutes before Real start playing a game, it looks bad.

I must admit it does look very strange he is not at, or prioritising, the game.

One thing Xabi Alonso's entourage will tell you from their time in Madrid is that Mbappe is bothered mostly about his stats and his numbers.

That explains why, even though he didn't feel well with his knee - after they did a scan on both and analysed the wrong one - he wanted to play to try to top Cristiano Ronaldo's 59 goals in a calendar year. But that didn't help with his injury, and it seems like he wants to make an individual impact, as well as a collective one.

The jury remains out with Mbappe. He seems a little bit too cold and too distant with the Madrid fans - I remember Raul telling me that one thing they appreciate is players running for the impossible ball. People love it.

Of course, if Real were winning, it would be a different story. The question is, are they not winning because the managers haven't been able to get the best out of Mbappe, or because he is not adapting quick enough?

He went through a period when he first arrived of complete humbleness, realising he was at Real Madrid, and he was doing what he was told under Carlo Ancelotti.

Then after missing two penalties, against Liverpool and Athletic Club, he was feeling really down and thought "I am going to do it my own way".

The goals started coming, and he was great numbers-wise for Ancelotti. But this season it simply hasn't worked, under Alonso or Arbeloa.

What's the view in Spain?

Image caption,

Mbappe has received criticism from the press despite scoring 41 goals in all competitions this season

Spanish media coverage of Mbappe has been particularly intense, reflecting both his status within Real Madrid and the broader struggles the club have faced this season.

Outlets across Spain have scrutinised not only his performances, but also aspects of his behaviour off the pitch, with the Sardinia trip widely portrayed as poorly timed rather than outright misconduct.

Opinion pieces have increasingly focused on his integration into the squad and his influence within the team structure. In particular, there has been growing debate over whether Mbappe and Vinicius Jr can play effectively in the same attacking system, without compromising the balance of the team.

Across television and radio, pundits have also questioned whether Mbappe is being judged more harshly than other players would be in similar circumstances, while some columnists argue the criticism reflects Real's underwhelming season as much as it does the individual.

Overall, the tone of Spanish coverage remains critical but divided. While some defend Mbappe's numbers and status as a decisive player, others question his leadership and overall impact during a difficult campaign.

There is also a growing consensus in the media that the appointment of the right manager will be crucial to restoring cohesion and confidence within the squad after a season of underachievement.

The underlying message across much of the commentary is clear: a third trophyless season would be unacceptable for both the club and its supporters.