Kylian Mbappe has publicly defended his Real Madrid teammate, Vinicius Jr., after the Brazilian winger was subjected to jeers and whistles from the home crowd at the Santiago Bernabéu during their recent La Liga match against Levante. The incident, which occurred during a 2-0 victory for Real Madrid, visibly upset Vinicius, who was seen heading back to the dressing room following the boos.
Mbappe, who also scored a penalty in the game, addressed the media ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League encounter against Monaco, expressing his disapproval of the treatment aimed at Vinicius. He stated, "What I didn't like was that if there are boos, they should be for the whole squad. You shouldn't single out one player". Mbappe emphasized the importance of collective responsibility and support within the team.
"It's NOT Vini Jr fault," Mbappe asserted. "He's a fantastic player. He's an incredible guy, I'm lucky to know him and I'm very fond of him. We have to protect him better. So he's not alone against everyone. He's not alone at Real Madrid. We're all with him".
The boos directed at Vinicius come at a turbulent time for Real Madrid, following the sacking of manager Xabi Alonso. Alonso's departure has sparked numerous theories regarding his relationship with both the management and the players, with his personal connection to Vinicius being a significant point of discussion. Some reports suggest that fans have been critical of Vinicius since Alonso's sacking.
Adding to the complexity, tensions between Vinicius and Real Madrid supporters have been simmering for some time. The recent match against Levante was not an isolated incident, as Vinicius has reportedly been targeted during the last three home games.
While reports have circulated about a potential rivalry between Mbappe and Vinicius since Mbappe's arrival at Real Madrid, both players have publicly dismissed these claims. Mbappe has previously stated his excitement about sharing the locker room with Vinicius, emphasizing their ability to play well together and contribute to the team's success. In fact, the pair have combined for 13 goal contributions in 57 games together.
Despite their on-field synergy, some reports suggest that Mbappe and Vinicius do not have an "idyllic" relationship, with Mbappe reportedly sharing closer bonds with other teammates like Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo. However, Mbappe's recent defense of Vinicius underscores a sense of camaraderie and support, especially in the face of fan criticism.
Mbappe's strong words of support for Vinicius arrive as speculation arises regarding the Brazilian's future with the club. Sources suggest that Vinicius may reconsider signing a new contract if the booing from supporters persists. With Real Madrid currently seventh in the Champions League league phase standings with two games remaining, maintaining team unity and supporting key players like Vinicius will be crucial for their success.
