Kylian Mbappé’s Champions League evening ended in bitterness as a section of Real Madrid fans turned on their star forward, booing him off the pitch in a tense quarter-final second leg against Arsenal.
In the 75th minute, with Madrid still chasing a miracle, Mbappé chased down Declan Rice in a bid to win the ball high up the pitch.
The English midfielder stood his ground, and Mbappé, stretching to make contact, landed awkwardly.
A moment of discomfort followed as he clutched his leg. Though he rose shortly after, the signs were clear—he wasn’t at full strength.
Real’s medical team was alerted. A substitution was quickly prepared.
As Brahim Díaz stood ready on the sideline, the Bernabéu began to grasp what was unfolding.
When Mbappé’s number lit up on the board, the reaction was swift—and surprising.
Instead of the expected applause, murmurs of discontent rose.
Then came the boos. A scattered but unmistakable chorus of frustration swept through the crowd.
It wasn’t all-encompassing, but it was loud enough to send a message. The performance had not met the moment.
Mbappé, expressionless, didn’t acknowledge the crowd.
Mbappé sifflé au Bernabéu
Sorti blessé après un match fantomatique
Une entorse à la cheville
33 buts… mais où sont les grands soirs ?
Le Real s’effondre, et la lune de miel est déjà finie#Mbappe #RealMadrid #UCL pic.twitter.com/5lMUmQ7b1n— Foot Espagnol (@FootEspagnolOrg) April 16, 2025
He walked off the pitch with his head slightly lowered, straight down the tunnel—injured, ineffective, and now, for the first time, questioned by his own supporters.
The French forward, who had been anticipated like a saviour in Madrid for years before his move finally materialised, delivered little in a match of such magnitude.
Throughout the first half, he struggled to find space, frequently smothered by Arsenal’s backline.
A VAR-overturned penalty only deepened his frustration, and his few efforts were swiftly dealt with.
But more troubling than the boos is the uncertainty surrounding his condition.
Early reports suggest a possible issue with his ankle or Achilles tendon.
The club has not yet confirmed the extent of the injury, but further tests are expected.
The timing couldn’t be worse—Real Madrid face Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final on 26 April, and Mbappé’s availability is now in doubt.
In Madrid, stardom alone isn’t enough. The fans demand passion, resilience, and decisive impact.
For a player of Mbappé’s stature—who, like Randal Kolo Muani, proudly represents both France and roots in the Democratic Republic of Congo—this reception will sting.
It was not a definitive rupture, but a sharp warning.
The bond between Mbappé and the Bernabéu faithful is off to a rocky start. And if there’s one thing Madridistas are known for, it’s their short patience and long memory.
