In the wake of Barcelona’s title-clinching victory, manager Hansi Flick has taken a surprising moment to defend his rival’s star player. Despite the noise surrounding Kylian Mbappé’s future at the Bernabéu, Flick dismissed the idea that Real Madrid is a more cohesive unit when the Frenchman is off the pitch.
“Real Madrid plays better without Mbappé? He is one of the best players in the world, please,” Flick remarked. “He is incredibly gifted… in front of goal, he is the best in the world.”
The “Mbappé Paradox”
While Flick’s praise is high, the atmosphere in Madrid tells a different story. The 27-year-old forward missed the 2-0 Clásico defeat due to a lingering hamstring injury suffered against Real Betis. Despite training last Friday, he withdrew from the squad at the final hour due to discomfort.
The Stats vs. The Sentiment:
- On-Pitch Dominance: Mbappé has been statistically elite this season, netting 41 goals in 41 appearances and providing 6 assists.
- The Petition: In a move that highlights the current “toxic” environment, a staggering 45 million fans have reportedly signed a petition calling for his exit. This follows rumors of a fractured relationship with teammates, including Vinícius Júnior.
- The Absence: Madrid did secure a 2-0 win over Espanyol without him earlier this spring, which fueled the narrative that the team’s “EEAT” (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) is higher when playing a more traditional structure.
Will He Play Again This Season?
With Barcelona already crowned champions, Álvaro Arbeloa admitted he is unsure if Mbappé will feature in the final three matches against Real Oviedo, Sevilla, or Athletic Bilbao.
“Two weeks remain… depending on how he evolves from the discomfort, we’ll see,” Arbeloa told reporters.
There are growing whispers that Mbappé may choose to sit out the rest of the domestic campaign to ensure he is 100% fit to lead France in the 2026 World Cup this summer.
RMxtra Verdict: The Mourinho Factor
As José Mourinho prepares to take the reins on May 17, his first and biggest task will be the “Mbappé problem.” Can the Special One integrate the world’s most dangerous striker into a locker room that is currently divided? Or will the €45 million-signature petition force a historic transfer?
Mourinho has a history of working with “egocentric” superstars, and his arrival might be the only thing that saves Mbappé’s Madrid career.