Kylian Mbappe's hamstring injury, sustained against Real Betis in late April, has left him a doubt for Sunday's Clasico against Barcelona. While recovery timelines dominate the conversation, a much thornier issue has surfaced: the France forward spent his recovery period on a yacht in Sardinia, a trip approved by the club but widely criticized by supporters given Real's desperate league position.

Real Madrid trail Barcelona by 11 points in La Liga and were knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage, meaning another trophyless season looms. An online petition demanding "Mbappe out" attracted 12 million signatures in under 24 hours, though doubts persist about how many signatories are actual Real fans. Mbappe's representatives insist criticism "does not reflect the reality of Kylian's commitment and daily work for the team."

Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed that post-injury tests suggested a longer recovery than hoped, keeping Mbappe's availability for the Nou Camp uncertain. The backlash exposes deeper concerns about dressing-room tension and whether Mbappe and Vinicius Jr can coexist effectively in Real's system. Spanish media scrutiny remains intense, but the club's underperformance this season fuels much of the criticism more than individual blame.