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Real Madrid striker faces scrutiny over Sardinia holiday amid injury concerns ahead of Clasico

Supporters question the timing of the French international's leave while sidelined, days before the high-stakes El Clásico encounter.

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Adrian Cole
Political Correspondent
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Source: France 24 International · View original source
Injured Mbappe faces backlash over Sardinia trip before Clasico
Kylian Mbappe's absence from training has ignited a debate regarding player conduct and fixture priorities within the Spanish football community.

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has encountered significant criticism from a segment of the club's supporters following reports of a holiday in Sardinia. This controversy has emerged while the striker remains sidelined due to a hamstring injury, raising questions about the timing of his absence relative to the upcoming schedule.

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The backlash has intensified as the club approaches the highly anticipated Clasico match against FC Barcelona, scheduled for Sunday. Reports indicate that the specific nature of the criticism stems from the juxtaposition of the player's leisure trip with his physical unavailability and the high-profile nature of the fixture.

France 24 International has documented the developing media storm surrounding the incident, noting that the anger is focused on a section of the fanbase rather than the entire supporter group. The narrative suggests that the timing of the holiday is the primary driver of the discontent among those expressing their views.

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While the exact dates and duration of the leave remain unspecified in the available reporting, the incident has triggered a fresh wave of discussion ahead of the match. The situation highlights the intense scrutiny surrounding player welfare and availability during critical periods of the season.

No direct quotes from the critics or the player have been released to verify the details of the holiday, as the source material relies on summary reports of the backlash. The incident underscores the delicate balance clubs must maintain between player recovery and public perception during major rivalry games.

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