The return to the Champions League, on Tuesday against Monaco (9:00 PM), will once again serve as a barometer to measure the level of anger at the Bernabéu towards the Real Madrid players and their president, Florentino Pérez. A plebiscite that Kylian Mbappé fully understands. "It's something I understand. I understand the people. I did it myself when I was young, going to a stadium. The only opportunity to express their feelings is to go to the stadium and boo. But if they boo, let them boo the whole squad, not just some players," the forward stated during his press conference.
Mbappé was referring to the jeers directed at Vinicius, Jude Bellingham, and Fede Valverde during the victory against Levante. "First and foremost, I think about Vini. It's not his fault how we play. It's the fault of the whole squad. I understand perfectly that they boo, but it's towards the whole squad," reiterated the '10'. When asked if he should give any advice to his Brazilian teammate, he simply chose to praise him. "My responsibility is to take care of him and protect him so that he feels good and happy because when he is like that, he is a completely different player."
Mbappé came out with clear ideas in front of the journalists, not avoiding the clash and very aware of the message of unity he wanted to convey. So when asked about Bellingham's situation, he did not hesitate to repeat himself, even in English. "No one doubts Jude's quality, it's a tough moment for him, as for everyone. We can accept that they are not happy with us, but they have to treat everyone equally, not focus on one," he insisted, before making a couple of predictions. "If people see that we are making an effort, they will come back with us, and in the future, we will laugh when we remember these moments," he predicted.
Regarding the situation in the dressing room after the dismissal of Xabi Alonso, the captain of the French national team acknowledged the crisis but also took jabs at the press. "Certainly, things have happened, but there are also many things that are not true. Sometimes something true is said, but the remaining 90% is made up," he warned.
I know who's behind it
This tense atmosphere surrounding the dressing room has also been used as an argument by Álvaro Arbeloa. Just after the 2-0 win against Levante, the new coach already warned that the jeers against the president came from "people who do not want" Madrid. This time he reiterated his analysis, although without going into details. "The jeers weaken the team. What I said on Saturday is that I know there are campaigns to weaken the club, and I know who they are organized by, but they won't fool me," expressed the former Castilla coach.
Regarding the situation of Vinicius and Bellingham, Arbeloa believes that both should not do "anything different" from Saturday but also "run, make an effort, and show a great attitude as they did during the second half against Levante. "What Vini wants and what I hope and wish for is the support of the Bernabéu for all its players. He has given us two Champions League titles, magical nights, and he needs the Bernabéu to offer his best version. Vini is a very emotional person, as is his football. He wants the fans on his side. As a coach, I want a Bernabéu close to Vinicius and all his players," he analyzed.
Thus, the short and medium-term goal for Madrid, according to their coach, will be to "fight for the League and the Champions League," and for that, they will do "whatever it takes." In any case, Arbeloa considers the support of the Bernabéu essential. "Without the fans, we don't have many chances, so we need them on our side," he concluded, recalling some of the "magical comebacks" experienced at the Castellana coliseum.