Kylian Mbappe Faces Fierce Backlash for Failing to Defend Real Madrid Teammate
Kylian Mbappé's Panenka penalty celebration against Villarreal was intended as a tribute to Real Madrid colleague Brahim Díaz following his devastating penalty miss in the Africa Cup of Nations final—however, pundit Walid Acherchour has criticized the gesture as "pathetic."
After Real Madrid took a 1–0 lead through Mbappé's close-range finish just after halftime, the French star earned his team another penalty during injury time. Mbappé stepped up confidently and fooled Luis Junior with an elegant chip down the center of the goal as the keeper dove to his left.
The 27-year-old sprinted toward the corner flag in celebration, curving his hand through the air to replicate the path of his penalty kick. Brahim, who had entered the game as a substitute in the final 10 minutes for his first competitive match since that devastating evening in Rabat, joined the group of teammates celebrating with Mbappé.
"For you, for you," the French forward was heard telling his teammate. Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone afterward, Mbappé confirmed his penalty was executed "in tribute" to his struggling colleague.
Brahim's Week of 'Heartache'
Brahim's Week of 'Heartache'
Morocco stood just one successful penalty away from claiming their first AFCON title in five decades when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo finally awarded a spot kick deep into added time during last weekend's final versus Senegal. Tragically for Brahim, who earned the penalty after being clearly pulled by El Hadji Malick Diouf, he endured over 15 minutes of waiting as Pape Thiaw led his Senegal teammates off the field in protest of the referee's decision.
Once Sadio Mané had persuaded his countrymen to return, the extended delay had clearly affected Brahim. Slowing his approach too early, the tournament's top scorer weakly lifted his attempted Panenka directly into the waiting hands of Edouard Mendy.
The effort was so feeble that it sparked conspiracy theories suggesting it was an intentional miss to compensate for the controversial penalty award—though Mendy wasn't about to let anyone diminish his heroic save. Brahim visibly carried himself like a broken man afterward.
Senegal have won the 2025 African Cup of Nations.
One for the history books is an understatement! pic.twitter.com/j1ELGsmKdz
Following his emotional acceptance of the tournament's top scorer award, the 26-year-old posted a heartfelt apology on social media to Morocco's supporters.
"My heart is broken," he posted. "I had dreams of lifting this trophy because of all the love you showed me, every message, every bit of support that made me feel supported. I gave everything I had, especially my heart. Yesterday I let everyone down, and I accept complete responsibility and apologize sincerely."
Adding insult to injury, Brahim's return match for Madrid happened to be against a Villarreal team featuring Pape Gueye, the Senegal hero who scored the winning goal in the AFCON final. The midfielder's continental triumph was celebrated by the home supporters before kickoff while Brahim retreated into his warm-up jacket on Madrid's substitutes' bench.
Brahim's reaction to Mbappé's tribute remains unknown, but some observers questioned the reasoning behind the gesture.
'I Found It Pathetic'
'I Found It Pathetic'
Well-known analyst Acherchour expressed harsh criticism of Mbappé's actions. "I thought it was pathetic," he declared on Winamax FC. "It's comparable to wanting to purchase a Ferrari but lacking the funds, then having a supposed friend buy one the following day and tell me, 'See, this is how you acquire a Ferrari...'
"Or imagine my girlfriend breaks up with me, I couldn't maintain the relationship, and the next day you contact me to say you're dating her and declare, 'See, this is the proper way...' Seriously, avoid friends like that."
Acherchour has frequently criticized Mbappé over the years, condemning his Champions League displays for both Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. He showed no restraint in his weekend critique.
"Mbappé desperately wants to be the protagonist in every situation," the analyst concluded. "This isn't your narrative, Kylian. Allow people to process their suffering—I simply cannot comprehend it. Do you honestly believe Brahim Díaz will return home thinking, 'Kylian helped me forget everything with his tribute, he demonstrated to everyone the correct way to execute a Panenka'?"