Pedrerol questions Real Madrid fans’ loyalty ahead of Villarreal protest

Real Madrid’s difficult period has deepened during the international break, with concerns over Kylian Mbappe’s conduct adding to growing frustration among supporters. A planned protest is due to take place shortly before Saturday’s match against Villarreal at Santiago Bernabeu.

The demonstration has been promoted under the slogan: “Boos at Santiago Bernabeu: the Bernabeu speaks.” The message has spread widely on social media, with Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius and Florentino Perez identified as the main targets of the planned protest.

According to Sport, Mbappe chose to spend several days in France and Switzerland with his current partner, Ester Exposito, rather than concentrating on recovering from his physical problems. One of the most controversial images showed the forward riding a bicycle, an activity he is not permitted to undertake, according to comments made by manager Jose Mourinho in an interview.

The reports have further angered Real Madrid supporters, who have called for the action to express their dissatisfaction with the club’s current situation.

The issue was discussed on El Chiringuito, the programme presented by Josep Pedrerol, where analysts examined both the sporting and social problems facing Real Madrid. Pedrerol was among the strongest critics of the planned protest and questioned the motives of those intending to boo the team’s players.

“Barcelona supporters should thank Real Madrid fans enormously for booing their own players,” Pedrerol said.

He argued that Barcelona president Joan Laporta would be pleased by the problems unfolding at Real Madrid, claiming that criticism from the Santiago Bernabeu crowd would ultimately benefit their rivals.

“Booing the players at the Bernabeu works in Barcelona’s favour,” Pedrerol said.

The journalist also said he could not understand the position of supporters who planned to protest against Real Madrid players and went as far as to question whether they genuinely supported the club.

“They seem to me to be Barcelona fans,” he added.

Pedrerol did, however, draw a distinction between protesting before the match and reacting to what happens during it. He said supporters would be justified in expressing their anger if Real Madrid were unable to overcome Villarreal and failed to show the necessary effort.

“It is different if we reach the 90th minute and you realise the team will not be able to come back in the match, and that the players are not running,” he said. “In that situation, I would not intervene. It is natural for the fans to express their dissatisfaction, but not before then.”