Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe is reportedly experiencing friction within the squad, with claims surfacing that he believes teammate Vinicius Junior is deliberately leaking negative stories about him. This alleged behavior is seen as an attempt by Vinicius to position himself as the primary star and establish dominance within the team.
Mbappe has recently faced scrutiny regarding his commitment, a notion he has publicly refuted. Reports suggest that the Frenchman is also at odds with manager Alvaro Arbeloa, feeling mistreated and that his benching in El Clasico was disrespectful. He reportedly withdrew from a subsequent match due to a hamstring complaint, drawing parallels with Thibaut Courtois’ recovery and holiday during an injury period.
Sources indicate that Mbappe and a segment of other Real Madrid players suspect Vinicius Junior of orchestrating the negative press to portray Mbappe unfavorably. This alleged tactic is believed to be part of Vinicius’s strategy to become the undisputed alpha of the team, especially as he prepares to negotiate a new contract with Real Madrid, reportedly seeking wages comparable to Mbappe’s.
Furthermore, it’s suggested that Mbappe and others in the squad attribute the sacking of former manager Xabi Alonso to Vinicius, believing he actively pushed for Alonso’s departure. This group reportedly views Alonso as a superior manager to Arbeloa, adding to the narrative of a divided dressing room following Alonso’s exit.
