Overview
- Speaking Monday, Kylian Mbappé said boos should be directed at the entire squad rather than individuals and stressed it is not Vinícius Júnior’s fault.
- Vinícius, Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde were loudly jeered during Saturday’s 2-0 win over Levante, with footage showing Vinícius visibly emotional before kickoff as Mbappé consoled him.
- Interim coach Álvaro Arbeloa praised Vinícius and Bellingham, vowed to “find” Vinícius more and keep him on the pitch when performing, and urged supporters to help lift the team’s leaders.
- The unrest follows a Supercopa defeat to Barcelona, a Copa del Rey upset at Albacete and last week’s dismissal of Xabi Alonso, with reports of dressing-room friction lingering.
- Real host AS Monaco on Tuesday in the Champions League league phase, seeking to strengthen a top-eight position that would deliver an automatic last-16 berth.