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Real Madrid will hope to resolve internal issues quickly and present a united front against their biggest rivals in what promises to be a tense encounter.
Real Madrid's French forward #10 Kylian Mbappe handles the ball during the Spanish league football match between Real Betis and Real Madrid CF at the La Cartuja stadium. (file photo)(AFP)Tensions are boiling over at Real Madrid just days before their crucial La Liga clash with rivals Barcelona. With the team still reeling from their Champions League exit, flashpoints involving key players like Kylian Mbappe have created a difficult atmosphere at the club. As preparations intensify for Sunday's El Clasico at Camp Nou, questions remain about unity in the dressing room and Mbappe's availability after his recent injury.
Why did Kylian Mbappe have a training ground row?
The latest incident occurred before Real Madrid's April 24 trip to face Real Betis. During a training session, Kylian Mbappe clashed with a member of the coaching staff who was acting as an assistant referee. Notably, the Frenchman reacted angrily and used insulting language after being flagged offside. While such flare-ups happen in top-level football, this one has added to growing concerns about the mood at the club. Mbappe has not faced any internal punishment, but the episode has drawn criticism from within the club.
Kylian Mbappe's conduct has not sat well with many at the club. Several staff members and player representatives have voiced concerns, suggesting Real Madrid could have handled the situation more firmly. Adding fuel to the fire, the 27-year-old took a trip to Italy with his partner while recovering from a hamstring injury picked up against Betis. He returned to Madrid on Sunday evening, just before the team's win over Espanyol.
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AI powered insights from this story
Kylian Mbappe clashed with a coaching staff member during a training session and reacted angrily with insulting language after being flagged offside. This incident occurred before Real Madrid's match against Real Betis.
The atmosphere at Real Madrid is difficult, with tensions rising due to incidents involving key players like Kylian Mbappe and Antonio Rudiger. There are concerns about dressing room unity and uncertainty surrounding the manager's future.
Kylian Mbappe is currently doubtful for the El Clasico match against Barcelona. His availability will depend on his fitness assessment throughout the week.
Kylian Mbappe's conduct, including a training ground row and a trip to Italy while recovering from injury, has caused concern among staff and player representatives. Many felt the timing of his trip was poor given the team's struggles.
Kylian Mbappe's recent hamstring injury has made him doubtful for the El Clasico. His fitness is a key concern for Real Madrid as they prepare for the crucial match against Barcelona.
Many fans felt the timing was poor given the team's struggles. In his post-match press conference, interim boss Alvaro Arbeloa addressed the situation: "In their free time, each player does what they see fit, and I don't get involved in that." He added that the medical staff manages all injured player planning.
How bad is the atmosphere at Real Madrid?
The Kylian Mbappe situation is not isolated. Earlier in April, defender Antonio Rudiger was involved in a heated argument with a teammate in the dressing room at the training ground. Rudiger reportedly started the confrontation but later apologised and invited the squad and their families to lunch as a gesture of goodwill.
These events highlight a broader sense of discord. Players appear unhappy, with uncertainty surrounding Arbeloa's future as manager and several squad members facing unclear futures. The lack of togetherness is evident as Hansi Flick's Barcelona side need just a point to clinch the title at the Camp Nou.
Will Kylian Mbappe be available for El Clasico?
Attention now turns to Kylian Mbappe's fitness. He is currently doubtful for Sunday's showdown. Arbeloa commented: "We'll see how Mbappe is this week."
About the Author
Aachal Maniyar
Aachal Maniyar is a Senior Content Producer at LiveMint, where she covers US sports with a focus on major leagues, marquee events, and athlete-driven stories, while also reporting extensively on cricket and global sports. With over five years of first-hand journalism experience, she combines sharp editorial judgment with real-time sports storytelling across platforms. <br><br> Her reporting journey spans leading newsrooms including Thomson Reuters, India TV, BTVI, ET NOW, and CNBC TV18, where she has worked across breaking news, live match coverage, feature writing, interviews, video scripting, and anchoring. This multi-platform exposure has shaped her ability to deliver context-rich sports and business journalism tailored for both television and digital audiences. <br><br> Aachal has conducted and produced exclusive interviews with athletes and public figures such as India cricketer Dhruv Jurel, Indian women’s hockey captain Savita Punia, and industrialist Ratan Tata, along with several emerging and established sports personalities. Her body of work includes in-depth explainers, athlete profiles, emotionally resonant fan narratives, and data-backed match analysis across cricket, Olympic sports, and international competitions. <br><br> She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune, and believes in reporting that is grounded in accuracy, clarity, and credibility. Her philosophy is simple: sports journalism should go beyond scores and statistics, capturing the human stories, pressure moments, and decisions that shape the game and the people who play it.
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