By Brian Iha
Madrid, Spain, June 1, 2026
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has moved to defend Kylian Mbappé following mounting scrutiny over the club’s disappointing season, firmly rejecting narratives that have placed blame on the French forward amid growing fan frustration.
The intervention comes at the end of a turbulent campaign for the Spanish giants, who finished second in La Liga behind arch-rivals Barcelona and were eliminated in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, leaving the club without a major trophy this season.
Speaking in a rare public response to criticism surrounding the team’s performances, Pérez pushed back against suggestions that Mbappé had underperformed or failed to meet expectations since his arrival at the club.
The Real Madrid president emphasized that the club’s challenges could not be attributed to a single player, particularly in a season marked by inconsistency, injuries, and transitional squad dynamics.
The remarks come as sections of the fanbase and media intensified scrutiny of the French captain, whose high-profile signing had raised expectations of immediate European dominance for the Spanish club.
However, Pérez’s statement sought to redirect attention toward collective responsibility, reinforcing Mbappé’s importance to the club’s long-term project and dismissing what he described as unfair targeting of individual players during a difficult season.
Real Madrid’s campaign was defined by missed opportunities in key fixtures, including narrow defeats in decisive league matches and an early exit from Europe’s elite competition at the quarter-final stage.
Despite the setbacks, club officials maintain confidence in the long-term direction of the squad, insisting that structural rebuilding and tactical adjustments remain ongoing ahead of the next season.
Mbappé, who has been central to Madrid’s attacking setup, is expected to remain a key figure in the club’s plans as they aim to reclaim domestic and European dominance in the coming campaign.
As pressure continues to mount in the Spanish capital, Pérez’s public backing signals an effort to stabilize the environment around the squad and shield key players from escalating criticism following a rare trophyless season.
