Mbappe Breaks Silence After Alonso Exit at Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe became the first senior Real Madrid player to publicly respond following Xabi Alonso’s sudden departure, announced less than 24 hours after a dramatic Super Cup defeat to Barcelona in Saudi Arabia.

The French forward posted a farewell message as Madrid confirmed a change in the dugout, ending Alonso’s brief eight month spell at the Santiago Bernabeu after a 3-2 loss to their Clasico rivals left another trophy slipping away.

Alonso’s exit followed mounting pressure despite early assurances that the club would remain patient. Strong domestic form at the start of the campaign gave way to inconsistent results, with the Super Cup defeat ultimately proving decisive in the board’s thinking.

The decision matters now because Real Madrid face a pivotal stretch of the season. Major honours are still in play, but confidence inside the camp has been shaken, prompting the club to move quickly by appointing Alvaro Arbeloa as caretaker while the search for a permanent successor begins.

The atmosphere around the team had already grown tense before the final whistle in Saudi Arabia. Madrid struggled to control key phases against Barcelona, and frustration was evident among senior players as the match slipped away late on.

Several incidents across recent weeks fed into the final outcome. Tactical disagreements behind the scenes, combined with public moments of dissent, hinted at a growing disconnect between Alonso and parts of the squad. Sources indicate Mbappe and Alonso clashed over tactical ideas, while tensions also surfaced at board level.

The defining moment came after the Super Cup defeat. Alonso urged his players to form a guard of honour for Barcelona, but Mbappe appeared to wave teammates away, a gesture that drew attention and symbolised the breakdown in authority.

The second half of Alonso’s tenure had already been uneven. After an encouraging start that included a Club World Cup semi final run and 13 wins from his first 14 domestic games, Madrid faltered in Europe and managed just two victories from eight matches during a difficult midseason stretch.

Late drama followed in the days after the final. Alonso departed by mutual agreement, though the timing and internal unrest suggested a decision driven as much by dressing room dynamics as results on the pitch.

Mbappe’s closing message struck a respectful tone. He thanked Alonso for his trust and ideas, despite reports of friction during their time together. The forward’s form remained strong throughout the season, with 29 goals and five assists in 25 appearances highlighting his importance to the team.

Real Madrid now look ahead to a defining appointment. With Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham central to their ambitions, the club’s next manager will be tasked with restoring unity while keeping Madrid competitive at the highest level in Spain and Europe.