Quick Read
- A viral petition for Kylian Mbappé’s sale has surpassed 30 million signatures following a controversial holiday with Ester Expósito.
- Actress Ester Expósito was forced to limit social media comments after facing intense harassment from football fans blaming her for the player’s distractions.
- The scandal erupts as Real Madrid faces internal fighting and a massive 11-point deficit behind Barcelona in the La Liga title race.
MADRID (Azat TV) – A romantic getaway to Sardinia has ignited a historic crisis at Real Madrid, as an online petition demanding the immediate sale of Kylian Mbappé reached a staggering 30 million signatures on Thursday. The backlash follows a highly publicized vacation the French striker took with Spanish actress Ester Expósito while officially recovering from a hamstring injury, a move that has alienated a significant portion of the club’s global fanbase. As Real Madrid sits 11 points behind rivals Barcelona ahead of a season-defining El Clasico, the intersection of Mbappé’s celebrity lifestyle and his perceived lack of commitment has created a flashpoint that threatens the stability of the world’s most valuable football institution.
Ester Expósito and the Social Media Backlash
The controversy has not been confined to the pitch or the boardroom. Ester Expósito, one of Spain’s most prominent actresses and the face of the new Marine Serre Spring/Summer 2026 campaign, has become a central figure in the storm. Following the publication of photos showing the couple in Italy, Expósito’s social media accounts were flooded with thousands of critical comments from disgruntled football fans. The intensity of the harassment grew so severe that the actress was forced to take the drastic step of limiting comments on her Instagram posts to stem the wave of negativity. While her professional career continues to thrive with high-fashion collaborations, her personal association with the Real Madrid star has placed her at the center of a sporting tribalism that rarely crosses into the cinematic world.
Kylian Mbappé and the 30 Million Signature Petition
The scale of the fan revolt is unprecedented in the digital age of sports. According to Sky Sports, the petition calling for Mbappé’s departure has grown with such speed that it would set a world record if all signatures are verified as unique individuals. Supporters have voiced outrage that the player flew by private jet to Sardinia just days before he was expected to assist the team in a critical stretch of the season. Although Mbappé’s representatives clarified that the player had official permission from the club and was following a specific rehabilitation program, the optics of the trip have been disastrous. For many Madridistas, the vacation symbolizes a lack of leadership and a prioritization of personal leisure over the collective needs of a club currently facing a major trophy drought.
Internal Turmoil at Real Madrid
The timing of the ‘Mbappe Out’ campaign coincides with broader instability within the squad. Reports from Central FM confirmed that disciplinary proceedings were recently opened against Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni following a physical confrontation at the training ground that left Valverde requiring hospital treatment for a head injury. This internal friction, combined with the team’s failure to win a major trophy since Mbappé’s arrival from Paris Saint-Germain two summers ago, has created a toxic atmosphere. Fans have pointed to PSG’s recent success in reaching the Champions League final without Mbappé as evidence that the player may be more of a tactical burden than an asset. The perception that Mbappé is a ‘luxury’ player who lacks the defensive work rate required by modern managers has only added fuel to the fire.
The Future of the Mbappé Era in Madrid
Despite the massive public outcry, the financial realities of Mbappé’s contract make an immediate exit difficult. With three years remaining on his deal and a valuation exceeding £200 million, few clubs outside of Saudi Arabia could realistically afford the transfer. However, the shadow of Jose Mourinho looms over the Bernabeu as a potential replacement for the current management. Mourinho is known for his zero-tolerance policy regarding player egos and off-field distractions, suggesting that if he were to take charge, the culture of celebrity vacations during injury layoffs would come to an abrupt end. For now, the focus remains on the upcoming World Cup, where Mbappé hopes to reset his image, though the rift with the Madrid faithful may already be beyond repair.
The unprecedented scale of this fan-led petition suggests that the era of the ‘untouchable’ superstar is ending, as digital-age supporters now demand a level of visible devotion that transcends professional statistics and enters the realm of personal lifestyle choices.