Kylian Mbappé has been placed at the center of a growing controversy following the Spanish Super Cup, after reports on social media claimed the Real Madrid forward prevented his teammates from giving Barcelona a traditional guard of honor before the match.
According to posts shared by pro-Barcelona accounts such as @dna_blaugrana and @Culernews, an incident occurred during the pre-match protocol in which Real Madrid players were expected to line up and applaud Barcelona as a sign of sporting respect. The reports allege that Mbappé intervened and stopped the tribute from taking place.
Videos and commentary circulating online, originally attributed to the account @Alfremartinezz, describe the scene as “classless” and accuse the French star of deliberately blocking the ceremony. However, no major Spanish sports outlet including Marca, AS, or Mundo Deportivo has so far confirmed the episode, and the Spanish Football Federation has not issued any official statement.
What Is a Guard of Honor?
A guard of honor is a traditional football gesture in which the opposing team lines up to applaud the champion before kickoff. It is meant to symbolize respect and sportsmanship, but in matches as emotionally charged as El Clásico, the protocol has often been a source of tension rather than unity.
Barcelona and Real Madrid have a long history of disputes related to this tradition. In 2017, Barcelona refused to honor Real Madrid at Camp Nou after a Champions League triumph. One year later, Madrid publicly criticized the Catalans for breaking protocol, turning the ceremony into another chapter in their fierce rivalry.
Fans React as Debate Continues
The alleged Mbappé incident has divided fans across social media. While many Barcelona supporters have condemned the forward’s supposed behavior, others including Real Madrid fans argue that no official proof exists and that the story may be exaggerated or misleading.
For now, the situation remains unconfirmed, but the debate continues to dominate online discussions, fueling memes, arguments, and speculation across football communities.
