L'Équipe Front Page: Florentino Pérez Doesn't Want to Lose Either Vinícius or Mbappé, Talks Expected to Take Place

May 16 – In the front page of Thursday's edition, French media outlet L'Équipe's Madrid correspondent Antoine Simonneau writes a column on Kylian Mbappé.

Will he play again this season?
After the match, manager Álvaro Arbeloa responded to Mbappé's comments, making it clear: "I decide who plays and who doesn't, and it has nothing to do with the player's name. I don't care if they agree with my decision. If they don't like it, they'll have to wait for the next manager." After Mbappé publicly criticized him, the Real Madrid boss – who has already benched the 27-year-old French forward even when fully fit – might be inclined not to give him any more minutes, or indeed start him. However, to calm the situation, the Spanish coach clearly intends to start him against Sevilla. "We have a game on Sunday at 7:00 PM, and he will be the starting striker," he asserted.

Will Mbappé play?
Perhaps tired of the current situation and turmoil, Mbappé might choose to rest to avoid injury before the World Cup. However, he is eager to play. Determined to rediscover his best form before the World Cup and defend his La Liga top scorer (Pichichi) title, Mbappé faces a challenge from Mallorca striker Vedat Muriqi (22 goals vs 24 goals). The Bondy native said on Thursday: "What saddens me most is that people think I didn't want to play when I was injured."

Will fan resentment increase?
On Thursday night, Mbappé was roundly jeered by Real Madrid fans, and his latest comments are likely to spark the same reaction again. It will perhaps be seen as an example of what Real Madrid fans criticize him for: putting personal interests above the collective. Marca wrote in its Thursday edition: "Real Madrid fans have always hated prima donnas." Fans appreciate their players citing former president Santiago Bernabéu's famous words: "The Real Madrid shirt may be stained with mud, sweat, and blood, but never with shame." Or as club legend Alfredo Di Stéfano used to say before matches: "No player can play better than when we are united."

Will the rift with his teammates deepen?
"I know many people don't speak, I only learn of their thoughts through the media. I prefer to speak directly, it's clearer." This is what Mbappé said to his critics in the Real Madrid dressing room. These comments were hardly unifying, especially as most of his teammates have criticized him for being too individualistic and sided with Vinícius – who is better at uniting people and more popular. Although he gets along well with the Brazilian, the Frenchman is increasingly isolated in the dressing room, and these comments may leave him even more alone.

Would a new manager improve his situation?
Once Arbeloa's interim spell ends, the main task of the next manager will be to restore order and harmony in the dressing room and help Mbappé return to his peak. Will the Frenchman have any say in the managerial choice? Clearly not, as only Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez decides who takes charge. "I don't talk to my players about the manager," he confirmed on Wednesday to the Spanish national broadcaster La Sexta. Pérez, 79, is highly likely to be re-elected in the presidential election he has called to resolve the club's crisis. Currently, José Mourinho is Pérez's preferred choice. At the end of April, Mbappé liked an Instagram photo of himself with Mourinho and Arda Güler, recreating a scene from 2012 when Mourinho coached Real Madrid. But the "Special One," who on Thursday still publicly supported his "friend" Arbeloa, has little time for forwards who don't press or defend. Karim Benzema still remembers that well.

Is a departure for Mbappé possible?
Asked on Thursday about the possibility of leaving, Mbappé was categorical: "I am happy here. Why would I leave?" However, according to reports, some within the club are pushing for a separation from either the French forward or Vinícius this summer, as they do not complement each other well. Both players have their supporters, but for the player who only arrived from Bondy two years ago and is under contract until 2029, a departure seems highly unlikely. Vinícius's contract expires in 2027, with no renewal yet, and his talks have stalled. Pérez's attachment to Vinícius and his attachment to Mbappé both stem from his deep love for football, and Mbappé is the cornerstone of his entire sporting project. He has no intention of parting with either of them. "Mbappé has scored a lot of goals, he is currently Real Madrid's best player, even if he needs to improve in certain areas," the Real Madrid president defended him on Wednesday. Pérez is expected to speak with the French player soon, as Mbappé's attitude and frustration in recent months have become an increasing concern for the club.

Source: L'Équipe