Real Madrid's relationship with Kylian Mbappé has deteriorated rapidly over recent weeks, and president Florentino Pérez is now set to hold a direct meeting with the Frenchman to address his conduct.
The tension reached a boiling point after Mbappé arrived just 12 minutes before kickoff for a crucial match against Espanyol, before being left out of the squad entirely for the El Clásico encounter the following week — an absence that sent shockwaves through the club and its fanbase.
During Thursday's 2-0 victory over Real Oviedo, things escalated further when Mbappé publicly criticised manager Álvaro Arbeloa, claiming he had been informed of his reduced standing in the forward rotation. He was brought on as a substitute in the second half and was met with whistles from the Santiago Bernabéu crowd — a stunning fall from grace for a player once seen as the future of the club.
In response, Real Madrid's leadership is preparing to take immediate action. According to Diario AS, Pérez had a meeting with the player already pencilled in to discuss minor disciplinary matters, but the urgency has now drastically increased. The club's board is said to be deeply concerned about Mbappé's public comments, his overall attitude, and his apparent distance from his teammates.
During the scheduled conversation, Pérez is expected to lay out exactly what standards of conduct are expected from players representing Real Madrid, while also seeking clarity on the player's intentions for the upcoming season. He has reportedly made his position crystal clear: "Nobody is irreplaceable."
The root cause of the player's frustration appears to be his deteriorating relationship with Arbeloa, reportedly stemming from three specific incidents earlier this season. Sources also confirm that Mbappé has repeatedly expressed his preference for former manager Xabi Alonso and his disagreement with the decision to remove him from his position at the Bernabéu.
With the club already planning a significant summer rebuild, all options — including a premature exit for Mbappé — are reportedly on the table.
