Football superstar Kylian Mbappé has sparked fresh anger with Real Madrid fans after being spotted on a luxury getaway with his rumoured girlfriend.
The France striker was spotted dining with actress Ester Expósito just days ahead of Real Madrid’s ‘El Clásico’ showdown with Barcelona.
Mbappé, who has been sidelined by a hamstring injury, travelled to the Sardinian capital Cagliari on 1 May.
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Italian media said the pair arrived on a plush private jet.
He was spotted dining at upscale venues including the Libarium restaurant and Lo Scoglio in Sant’Elia.
Images shared on social media by the restaurant’s owner, Sandro Manconi, showed Mbappé and Expósito enjoying each other’s company, fuelling gossip about their relationship.
However, a section of Real Madrid supporters reacted with anger, viewing the trip as inappropriate during a critical period of the season.
Many fans expected the forward to remain in Madrid to focus on his rehabilitation at the Valdebebas training complex.
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Some supporters even launched an online petition calling for the club to part ways with the French star.
Images circulating with ‘Fuera’ (‘Out’) stamped over his face have gone viral online.
Some Madrid fans believe Mbappé is saving himself for France’s World Cup bid.
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The criticism came as Madrid prepared for La Liga matches against Espanyol and Barcelona.
Los Blancos defeated Espanyol 2-0 on Sunday and are set to face rivals Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Sunday (10 May).
Mbappé suffered the hamstring injury during a draw with Real Betis on 24 April.
He missed the Espanyol fixture, and his availability for Sunday’s match against Barcelona remains uncertain.
Real Madrid trail Barcelona by 11 points with four games left — a win for Barça in the Clásico would clinch the title.
Madrid granted rest days to several injured players, including Thibaut Courtois and Arda Güler, as reported by What’s The Jam.
Mbappé’s entourage said the recovery is “strictly supervised by the club” and that criticism stems from an “over-interpretation” unrelated to his “daily commitment and work for the team”.
Interim coach Álvaro Arbeloa defended players’ personal time, stating it was “none of my business” what they do in their free time.
However, he added that Real Madrid was built on “players who finish matches with shirts full of sweat and mud, through effort and sacrifice” rather than those who “play in tuxedos”, remarks widely regarded as pointed.
Mbappé, the club’s leading scorer with 41 goals in 41 appearances this season, has faced scrutiny over his form and integration since joining from Paris Saint-Germain.
Reports suggest growing isolation in the dressing room.
The France captain has previously commented on handling criticism: “I’ve reached a point where you’re going to get criticised whatever you do, so you might as well do what you want.”
Club president Florentino Pérez is said to back the player, but the Sardinia episode has added tension to a disappointing season for Los Blancos.
Expósito, best known for her role in the hit series Elite, has not commented on the nature of her relationship with Mbappé.
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