Kylian Mbappé, who came on as a substitute against Oviedo, was greeted by boos from some of the Madrid fans, in an already electric evening at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Another blunder for the Frenchman
Kylian Mbappé endured a difficult return to the Santiago Bernabéu on Thursday night. Starting on the bench against Real Oviedo, the French striker was booed as he entered the game, before being targeted again on several of his first touches. The scene quickly became a defining moment for Madrid fans, as the team played a crucial end-of-season match in a tense atmosphere.
A highly anticipated return, but not received as expected.
Mbappé made his return to the Real Madrid squad after missing the Clasico against FC Barcelona due to a hamstring injury. The 27-year-old striker, La Liga's top scorer with 24 goals, had been left on the bench by Álvaro Arbeloa at the start of the match against Oviedo.
His entrance did not elicit the hoped-for ovation. On the contrary, boos could be heard from the stands of the Bernabéu. The unease surrounding the French player, already visible in recent weeks, was confirmed in a match that, despite its importance, held little sporting significance for Real Madrid.
The Bernabéu expresses its frustration
The situation is tense for the Madrid club. Real Madrid is going through a difficult end to the season, marked by a season without a trophy, the title won by rival Barcelona, and another elimination from the Champions League.
The tension wasn't just surrounding Mbappé. The evening was also marked by a climate of protest against Florentino Pérez. A banner targeting the Real Madrid president was displayed in the stands before being quickly removed by security. Pérez, already under pressure, was also seen talking with fans during the match.
A match led by Real Madrid, but a heavy atmosphere
On the pitch, Real Madrid were leading 1-0 against Oviedo when Mbappé came on, thanks to a goal from Gonzalo García scored just before halftime, in the 44th minute. The match, part of the 36th round of La Liga, was played in front of more than 62,000 spectators at the Santiago Bernabéu.
From a sporting perspective, the match was supposed to allow Real Madrid to finish the season on a high note. But the atmosphere surrounding Mbappé quickly took over. His return, intended to help him regain his form after his injury, turned into a new sign of defiance from a section of the Madrid fans.
Mbappé in turmoil
Arriving in Madrid with the label of a superstar from PSG, who have dominated Europe since his departure, Kylian Mbappé is still expected to deliver much more than his statistics. His goals are no longer enough to silence the critics in a season where Real Madrid has failed to meet collective expectations. The boos on Thursday night confirm that the Frenchman still has to win back some of the Bernabéu faithful.
