Alvaro Arbeloa calls on Madridistas to back the player
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe “understands” fan anger toward the club but believes no player should be singled out for criticism.
Madrid were booed at the Bernabeu during their La Liga game against Levante, following a week in which they lost the Spanish Super Cup final to Barcelona in Jeddah, saw manager Xabi Alonso dismissed over speculation of dressing room unrest and player power, and got knocked out of the Copa del Rey by a relegation-threatened Albacete in the Spanish second division.
Vinicius Junior in particular was singled out for the most whistling. The Brazilian has endured a difficult season, going on a 19-game goal drought only recently, reacting publicly to being substituted during October’s clásico – the most attended game of the season for the club – and being at the centre of speculation over powerful players falling out with Alonso.
“I understand the fans,” Mbappe said. “Before I was a footballer, I used to watch football and when I was unhappy, I would speak badly about the players and boo them, so I understand.
“The only thing I haven’t liked is that if they whistle, they should whistle the whole squad. They shouldn’t single out one player. It’s the fault of the whole team.
“It isn’t Vini’s fault if we aren’t playing well. If they want to whistle, let them whistle the whole squad, and we have to change the situation. Vini like you or anyone, he’s human.
“I have a lot of affection for him. We as a team have to protect him better. I have to protect him better, so he isn’t alone. He has to know he’ll never be alone at Real Madrid.”
Madrid face AS Monaco in the Champions League on Tuesday seventh in the table and needing a positive result in their final two league phase fixtures to ensure automatic qualification for the play-offs. In La Liga, they are second in the table but the distance from the summit was narrowed to one point after their 2-0 victory over Levante was followed by Barcelona’s 2-1 loss to Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Los Blancos now have to win either competition to avoid going without a trophy for the second season in a row. Madrid’s current head coach Alvaro Arbeloa said Vinicius was essential for any such success this campaign.
“Vinicius will be on the pitch whenever he’s available,” said Arbeloa. “As the Madrid coach, if I want to have a chance of winning titles, I need Vinicius on the pitch.”
He also called for Madridistas to support the player.
“I think he needs the Bernabeu because he’s a guy with a huge heart, he’s emotional, he wants the fans on his side,” said Arbeloa. “I’d love to see the fans on his side, on the side of his players.”
