Kylian Mbappe faces a challenging second season at Real Madrid following several off-field incidents. The forward missed a UEFA Nations League double-header for France against Israel and Belgium despite featuring for his club shortly before the break. This led to a public row regarding his fitness and commitment to the national team, according to Sky Sports. During his time away from the squad, reports emerged of a trip to Stockholm while France played in Budapest.
French supporters launched an online petition requesting that Mbappe be stripped of the national captaincy. Per The Guardian, the petition gained thousands of signatures from fans frustrated by his absence. Further controversy arose after a holiday on a yacht in the Mediterranean during a period meant for recovery. The player joined Real Madrid on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024. He has struggled to replicate his previous scoring form in La Liga this term, per Reuters reports. Manager Carlo Ancelotti continues to defend the player's contribution to the team's tactical structure.
