MADRID — Real Madrid fans made their frustration clear on Thursday evening, jeering several players at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium before and during a 2-0 victory over already relegated Oviedo. The match, a La Liga fixture with little at stake for the hosts, became a stage for the deep-seated dissatisfaction simmering within the club after a disappointing season.
Kylian Mbappé, who came on as a substitute in the 68th minute after recovering from an injury, was greeted by boos from a section of the crowd. The French superstar, who joined Madrid in the summer of 2024 amid immense fanfare, has struggled to reproduce his PSG form consistently in his first two seasons at the club. Earlier, Vinícius Júnior, another key attacking figure, also faced jeers from the stands before kick-off.
“I’ve been booed before in my career,” Mbappé said after the match. “It's part of it. Sometimes they are not happy.” His calm response belied the tense atmosphere inside the stadium, where a couple of banners criticizing club president Florentino Pérez were briefly displayed before security officials removed them. According to Spanish media reports, Pérez engaged in a verbal altercation with fans near the VIP tribunes, a rare public confrontation that underscored the growing rift between the club's leadership and its supporters.
The match capped a chaotic week for Madrid, which began with an altercation between midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni during a training session. The club fined both players 500,000 euros (approximately $589,000) each, a hefty penalty that highlighted the internal tensions. Days later, Madrid lost 2-0 to Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu in the Clásico, allowing their archrivals to clinch the La Liga title for the second consecutive season. That defeat pushed Pérez over the edge; on Tuesday, he abruptly called for new elections, claiming he was the victim of an “organized campaign” to unseat him. In a hastily scheduled news conference, an edgy Pérez confronted journalists and made widespread accusations, further destabilizing the club.
Madrid’s trophy drought now extends to two straight seasons without a major title. The team was eliminated by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals, ousted by second-division Albacete in the Copa del Rey, and lost the Spanish Super Cup final to Barcelona. For a club accustomed to winning—Madrid has claimed 14 European Cups and 35 La Liga titles—this barren spell has tested the patience of fans and stakeholders alike.
On the pitch, Madrid managed to secure a workmanlike victory against bottom-placed Oviedo. Brahim Díaz opened the scoring in the 43rd minute with a composed finish after a pass from Eduardo Camavinga. Mbappé replaced Díaz in the 68th minute and immediately injected pace and creativity into the attack. In the 79th minute, the Frenchman delivered a precise assist to Jude Bellingham, who slotted home to seal the win. Bellingham, Madrid’s standout signing last summer, has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise underwhelming campaign, scoring 23 goals across all competitions.
Despite the win, the underlying issues remain. The jeering of Mbappé and Vinícius reflects a broader discontent with the team’s performances. Mbappé, who scored 44 goals in his first season with Madrid, has seen his numbers dip to 27 this term, partly due to injuries and tactical adjustments. Vinícius, once the darling of the Bernabéu, has also suffered from inconsistency and off-field controversies. Their treatment by fans suggests that even star players are not immune to the wrath of a demanding fanbase.
The atmosphere at the Bernabéu was a far cry from the vibrant celebrations of past successes. The club’s infrastructure, including the newly renovated stadium, has been praised, but the on-field product has failed to meet expectations. Critics point to a transfer policy that has focused on high-profile signings without building a cohesive unit. The midfield has lacked stability, with veterans like Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos aging and younger players like Valverde and Tchouaméni failing to consistently impose themselves.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in La Liga, Girona moved out of the relegation zone after a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad, with Cristhian Stuani scoring a second-half equalizer. Rayo Vallecano, who are preparing for the Conference League final, drew 1-1 at Valencia. Barcelona’s hopes of reaching the 100-point mark were dashed on Wednesday with a 1-0 loss to Alavés, but the Catalan club had already secured its second straight league title by beating Madrid 2-0 on Sunday.
For Madrid, the immediate future is uncertain. The club will soon hold elections to determine Pérez’s successor—or possibly his return if he stands again. The squad will undergo changes, with several players expected to depart and new signings targeted. Kylian Mbappé’s long-term commitment to the club is reportedly being questioned, despite his contract running until 2029. The Frenchman, who chose Madrid over lucrative offers from PSG and other clubs, now faces the challenge of winning over a skeptical fanbase.
The jeers on Thursday night were not deafening, but they were unmistakable. Real Madrid fans have high standards, and they expect excellence. The club’s leadership and players must now find a way to restore trust and bring back the glory that has defined Madrid for generations. The road ahead promises to be fraught with challenges, but as history has shown, the Bernabéu can be both a crucible and a cradle for champions.
In the broader context of Spanish football, Madrid’s struggles have been a rare bright spot for their rivals. Barcelona’s resurgence under Xavi Hernández, combined with Atletico Madrid’s consistent competitiveness, has turned La Liga into a more competitive landscape. Yet, no other club commands the global attention and resources of Real Madrid. The pressure to succeed is immense, and the fans will accept nothing less than the best.
As the season winds down, Madrid will play out their remaining fixtures with pride at stake. They face Athletic Bilbao and Betis before the summer break. Whether Mbappé can silence the critics and lead Madrid back to glory remains to be seen. But for now, the echoes of the jeers at the Bernabéu serve as a stark reminder that even the greatest players must earn the adoration of the Madrid faithful.
Source: AOL.com News