Quick Read
- An online petition demanding Kylian Mbappe’s departure from Real Madrid has garnered over 35 million signatures following the player’s controversial vacation in Sardinia during a team crisis.
- Internal tensions escalated into physical violence at the Valdebebas training ground, leaving midfielder Federico Valverde with a head injury and triggering formal disciplinary action.
- With a two-year major trophy drought and a decisive El Clasico approaching, club president Florentino Perez is reportedly considering the return of Jose Mourinho to replace Alvaro Arbeloa.
MADRID (Azat TV) – Real Madrid has entered a period of unprecedented institutional instability as an online petition demanding the immediate sale of Kylian Mbappe surpassed 35 million signatures on Thursday. The massive surge in fan hostility coincides with a violent training ground altercation that left midfielder Federico Valverde hospitalized, signaling a total collapse of squad discipline just days before a season-defining El Clasico against Barcelona.
The situation reached a breaking point following the club’s failure to secure a major trophy for two consecutive seasons, a drought that has left the Madridista fanbase increasingly volatile. While Mbappe has maintained a high individual scoring rate, netting 41 goals in 41 appearances this season, his perceived lack of leadership and commitment has become the focal point of supporter frustration. The optics of the French captain vacationing in Sardinia with Ester Exposito while the team struggled through a tactical crisis were cited by many as the final provocation.
The Mbappe Out Petition and the Sardinia Controversy
The digital movement, hosted on the Replit platform under the blunt slogan “Mbappe Out,” has transformed from a localized protest into a global phenomenon. As reported by CBS Sports, the petition features a header with the word “FUERA” (Out) over Mbappe’s official headshot. By Thursday morning, the signature count had ballooned to over 35 million, a figure that, while potentially inflated by automated bots, remains a devastating symbolic blow to the player’s standing at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Public anger intensified when images surfaced of Mbappe in Italy during a period when he was officially sidelined with an injury sustained against Real Betis. Although the club’s medical staff had authorized the time off, the timing was viewed as disastrous by fans who expected their marquee signing to remain with the squad during a week of intense internal turmoil. Supporters have openly questioned whether the striker, who joined in 2024 to much fanfare, truly prioritizes the club’s success over his personal brand.
Training Ground Violence: The Valverde-Tchouameni Altercation
The external pressure from the petition has been mirrored by a total breakdown of order within the locker room. Real Madrid officials confirmed that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni following two separate physical altercations during training sessions this week. The conflict reportedly escalated to the point where Valverde required hospital treatment for a head injury.
According to Cadena SER, the Uruguayan midfielder was diagnosed with cranioencephalic trauma after accidentally hitting a table during a heated argument, though earlier reports suggested a more direct physical confrontation with Tchouameni. In an unprecedented move to contain the damage, club president Florentino Perez reportedly convened an emergency “crisis cabinet” meeting at the Valdebebas facility, prohibiting any players from leaving until the internal hostilities were addressed. Valverde later issued a public apology on social media, attributing the incident to the “painful” frustration of a season without silverware.
Real Madrid Management and the Mourinho Return Rumors
The dual crises of the Mbappe petition and the squad’s physical infighting have placed immense pressure on manager Alvaro Arbeloa. With Barcelona positioned to clinch the La Liga title this Sunday if they avoid defeat in the El Clasico, Arbeloa’s tenure appears to be nearing its end. The club’s leadership is reportedly looking backward to move forward, with Jose Mourinho emerging as the primary candidate to take over for the 2026-27 season.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has indicated that Mourinho, currently at Benfica, is waiting for a formal decision from Perez. The Portuguese manager, who led the club from 2010 to 2013, is viewed by some board members as the only figure capable of restoring the iron discipline that has clearly evaporated under the current regime. As the club prepares for a hostile reception in Barcelona, the focus has shifted entirely from footballing tactics to the fundamental question of whether the current squad can even coexist for the remainder of the month.
The massive scale of the petition, regardless of bot activity, serves as a clear vote of no confidence that may force Florentino Perez to choose between his record signing and the stability of the institution.