MADRID (AP) — Kylian Mbappé has criticized Real Madrid fans who booed the star forward, calling out Vinicius Junior during Saturday’s Spanish league game.
Mbappe said fans had the right to boo when they were dissatisfied, but they should criticize the team as a whole, not specific players.
“I understand the fans,” Mbappé said on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League game against Monaco. “Before I was a player, I was a young guy who watched football and was critical and opinionated. I totally understand booing, but if you’re going to do it, you should boo the whole team, not just a few players. We all play poorly.”
Madrid defeated Levante 2-0 on Saturday, ending Levante’s slump in form. lost to barcelona At the Spanish Super Cup final held in Saudi Arabia last weekend, embarrassing exclusion They faced second-division club Albacete in the Copa del Rey round of 16 on Wednesday.
On Saturday, the crowd at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium loudly jeered Vinicius when his name was announced before the match against Levante and almost every time the Brazilian forward touched the ball.
Mbappe said, “It’s not Vini’s fault that we haven’t played as well as we wanted. It’s the whole team’s responsibility.” “That’s all I want to say to the fans: boo the whole team. We have to turn things around. It’s on all of us. We will do it, because we are Real Madrid players and there are always moments like this.”
Mbappe said Vinicius was affected by the boos and said the whole team needed to support him.
“Vini is a human being,” Mbappe said. “It’s normal to be affected when people say negative things about you. Sometimes it’s fair, sometimes it’s not. Vini is a great player. He’s an incredible guy. I’m lucky to know him and I like him very much. We have to protect him better as a team. We have to make sure he doesn’t get into a situation where he’s lonely against everyone. We’re going to protect him so he can do his best, because when he’s at his best, he’s one of the best players in the world. ”
Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde were also booed by fans on Saturday. Many believed the trio were not supporters of former manager Xabi Alonso, who was sacked after the Spanish Super Cup defeat to Barcelona. Alonso was replaced by former B team coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
a tough week
Mbappe said he spoke to Alonso after leaving the club and wished him well.
“I had a great relationship with him. I liked his way of watching the game and I wish him the best,” Mbappe said. “He is a coach who is particular about the game and the details, and he knows a lot about modern football. It is the club’s decision and we have to respect it. Now we have a new manager and we have to support him. We will do everything we can to make sure things go well for both Arbeloa and Real Madrid.”
Many said Mbappe was one of the players who told Alonso he would not stand in the guard of honor against Barcelona at the Spanish Super Cup ceremony, and that the images showed Alonso and the players resting in the dressing room.
“I’m not going to do anything stupid,” Mbappe said. “Of course things continue. There are a lot of things that are being said that are ultimately not true. I don’t think it’s right. Our job is to accept that, but when we have the opportunity to speak out we do so. We have to shut up and talk on the pitch.”
Mbappé said it had been “not an easy week” for Madrid and that the game against Monaco could be a turning point.
“We have to show character to change this situation and bring everyone back on our side,” he said. “I think the fans want us to support them, but we have to earn it. We have to continue to fight for all the titles and the most important thing tomorrow is the Champions League. We will show that we can compete as a team and that we are ready to win all the titles left this season.”
Madrid are in seventh place in the Champions League. The club trails Barcelona by one point in the Spanish league.
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