Barcelona President Unleashes Scathing Attack on Kylian Mbappe's Spanish Super Cup Behavior
Barcelona's president Joan Laporta has criticized Kylian Mbappé for his lack of "graciousness and respect" following Sunday's Spanish Super Cup final.
Mbappé entered the match as a substitute during the closing moments of the 3–2 loss to Barcelona, after dealing with a knee problem that sidelined him from the semifinal and limited his participation in the championship match.
The French star was unable to prevent his team from suffering another crushing loss and perhaps made his most significant mark after the match concluded. Following Super Cup finals, it's customary for both teams to form a guard of honor for each other, which Barcelona properly provided as Madrid approached to receive their second-place medals.
Instead of reciprocating this gesture, the Madrid players swiftly exited the field, with Mbappé visibly urging his colleagues to depart and ignore the traditional honor guard.
His behavior has drawn considerable criticism from supporters and opponents, with Barcelona president Joan Laporta eagerly seizing the chance to address the situation post-match.
"His actions surprised me," Laporta stated to RAC1.
"Whether winning or losing, one must display graciousness and respect. This is athletics, and proper conduct is expected. I believe that in our triumph, we showed graciousness and respect toward our opponents. That's why his behavior is incomprehensible to me."
Laporta: Real Madrid Couldn't Handle Barcelona Being Favorites
Laporta provided several explanations for Madrid's apparent poor sportsmanship following the match, including the theory that Xabi Alonso's team lost their cool after being labeled as the less favored side.
"They assumed we had superior odds of claiming victory in this contest, but they witnessed it firsthand on the field, and ultimately, that's difficult to accept," Laporta explained. "You can see the consequences..."
The Barcelona chief also observed that the rivalry between these clubs, historically known for its intensity, hit a new depth earlier this season following a heated Clásico in October, which concluded with Madrid's victory and an on-field altercation.
"The atmosphere changed after that league encounter, and the players carried some intensity," he added. "It's completely understandable.
"Honestly, I didn't witness Mbappé's reaction on the field directly, but I can imagine it was an extremely frustrating moment. They were likely very disappointed, which explains their response."