Real Madrid: Xabi Alonso is bothered by Mbappé
Tensions rise at Real Madrid as new coach Xabi Alonso grows concerned over Kylian Mbappé’s tactical inconsistency, following a heavy 4-0 defeat to PSG in the Club World Cup semifinals.
Kylian Mbappé may have finished his debut season at Real Madrid with an impressive 44 goals in 59 matches, but cracks are beginning to show in his relationship with head coach Xabi Alonso.
PSG Defeat Sparks Internal Concerns
Real Madrid’s 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in New Jersey on July 9 didn’t just mark a humiliating exit from the Club World Cup it also exposed tactical issues within the squad. Facing his former team, Mbappé had an unusually quiet performance, described by L’Équipe as “non-existent” and rated just 3/10 by the French outlet.
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He only featured in three matches during the tournament, having missed early games due to gastroenteritis shortly after arriving in the United States.
Alonso’s Frustration with Mbappé’s Tactical Discipline
The match marked the first time both Mbappé and Vinicius Jr. started together under Xabi Alonso. While Alonso avoided naming names in his post-match comments, he voiced concern over the squad’s lack of tactical cohesion:
“I’m not talking about individuals. I’m talking about the team and how we want to play. If we keep repeating the same mistakes, we won’t be smart.”
According to Marca, Alonso is already displeased with Mbappé’s inconsistent defensive contributions, especially when Real Madrid is under pressure. The coach reportedly insists that every player must drop behind the ball, something the French striker does only sporadically.
On-Field Disputes and Social Media Missteps
The tension between Alonso and Mbappé reportedly escalated during one of the matches, when the manager publicly urged the striker to show more effort off the ball from the sidelines.
Things took a turn for the worse when Mbappé posted a photo wearing a PSG shirt just before the semifinal a move seen internally as unprofessional and poorly timed given the opponent.
Vinicius Jr. Also Struggling
Mbappé isn’t the only star finding it hard to adapt. Vinicius Júnior is also struggling to fit into Alonso’s system, which emphasizes high pressing and team-wide defensive structure. While the Brazilian hasn’t been publicly criticized, his lack of impact has reportedly not gone unnoticed by club officials.
