'Boo All of Us': Mbappe Defends Vinicius As Bernabeu Turns Restless

Last Updated:January 19, 2026, 20:04 IST

Kylian Mbappe urges Real Madrid fans to support Vinicius Jr, blaming the team's poor form on collective effort amid unrest at Santiago Bernabeu.

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr (AFP)

Kylian Mbappe has drawn a clear line in the sand, and it’s aimed squarely at protecting Vinicius Jr.

With Real Madrid wobbling through a turbulent spell, the French forward urged fans to stop singling out individuals, insisting responsibility for the club’s stuttering form belongs to the entire squad.

“I understand the fans because we’re not doing things right," Mbappe said on Monday ahead of Real’s Champions League clash with Monaco. “But if they boo, they should boo the whole team. You shouldn’t single out one player. It’s not Vini’s fault that we’re playing the way we are now."

Despite Saturday’s 2-0 LaLiga win over Levante, a result that pulled second-placed Madrid within a point of leaders Barcelona, the atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabeu was anything but celebratory.

Frustration boiled over, and Vinicius became the focal point of the crowd’s anger.

The Brazilian winger was loudly jeered during the team announcements and repeatedly booed throughout the match, scenes that underlined how brittle the mood around the club has become.

“It’s our collective fault," Mbappe continued. “We have the character to change that on the pitch."

The unrest follows a bruising run for the 14-time European champions. A humbling defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, combined with a shock Copa del Rey exit to second-division Albacete, has left fans disillusioned and impatient.

That tension intensified last week with the dismissal of manager Xabi Alonso just seven months into his tenure. Reports of internal friction, including clashes between Alonso and Vinicius, only added fuel to the fire.

Broadcast footage from Saturday captured a visibly shaken Vinicius sitting on the steps leading to the pitch after hearing the boos during the lineup announcement. Mbappe was seen consoling the 23-year-old before kick-off, a gesture that matched his words a day later.

“Vini is a human being," Mbappe said. “He’s an unbelievable talent, a great guy. When he’s happy, he’s one of the best players in the world. We need to protect him better."

Real now turn their attention to Monaco, knowing a Champions League win could steady the ship — both on the table and in the stands.

(with Reuters inputs)

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