Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé faced a hostile reception from his own supporters at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, as he was met with boos and whistles when shown on the stadium’s big screen during the team’s 1-0 victory over Athletic Club.
The 26-year-old French international was unable to feature in the match and watched from the stands as Real Madrid clinched a late winner to boost their title hopes in La Liga.
Mbappé, who was born in Paris to a Cameroonian father and an Algerian mother, has often spoken of his African heritage.
The jeers from Real Madrid fans come shortly after the team’s disappointing exit from the UEFA Champions League, where they were knocked out by Arsenal in the quarter-finals.
Despite Mbappé and other team members expressing confidence about their chances of turning the tie around, the Spanish giants lost 5-1 on aggregate.
Mbappé’s absence from Sunday’s match followed a red card in an earlier La Liga fixture against Alavés, which only added to the frustration among supporters.
Nonetheless, Real Madrid’s win against Athletic Club has helped them close the gap on league leaders Barcelona to just four points, keeping their hopes alive in the La Liga title race.
The two arch-rivals will meet again on April 26 in the final of the Copa del Rey, a fixture that now carries extra significance for Madrid.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti will be looking to secure at least one trophy this season, and Mbappé is expected to return to action in time for that crucial match, where he will be under pressure to deliver a strong performance both to redeem himself and to help his club lift silverware.
