Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has called for unity and issued a defiant message to the Santiago Bernabéu crowd following the targeted booing of Vinicius Júnior. Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s crucial Champions League clash against Monaco, the Frenchman stood firmly by his teammate’s side.
“It’s Not Just Vini’s Fault” Despite a 2-0 victory over Levante last weekend, the Bernabéu atmosphere turned toxic with whistles directed specifically at the Brazilian number 7. Mbappé, however, was quick to deflect the blame from his strike partner.
“I understand the fans’ frustration; I was a young fan once, too,” Mbappé admitted during Monday’s press conference. “But if they are going to boo, they should boo the entire team. You shouldn’t point the finger at one player. When we fail, we fail as a squad.”
Mbappé emphasized that Vinicius is far from alone in the dressing room. “We need to protect him. He is an extraordinary player and a human being. At his best, he is one of the world’s elite. He will not face the critics alone at Real Madrid.”
Arbeloa Confirms Vini Jr Will Start Speculation regarding Vinicius being dropped to the bench was swiftly shut down by head coach Álvaro Arbeloa. Despite the external pressure and the media scrutiny, the manager confirmed the Brazilian remains a “non-negotiable” part of his starting XI.
“Vinicius will be on the field as long as he is available,” Arbeloa stated firmly. “He is an exceptional talent. If I want to win as Real Madrid’s coach, I need Vinicius on the pitch. It’s that simple.”
UCL Matchday 7: High Stakes at the Bernabéu Real Madrid is currently picking up the pieces after an inconsistent run. A win against Monaco tonight (Tuesday, Jan 20) is essential to secure their position in the Champions League group stage and silence the growing discontent among the Madridistas.
Thiago Nuno is a football editor and analyst covering European leagues, match statistics, and transfer market trends.
