An online petition calling for Mbappe’s removal has gone viral, collecting 33 million signatures.
An online petition calling for Kylian Mbappé to be removed from Real Madrid’s squad has not only exceeded its initial target of signatures, but has also become the center of a social media firestorm over the French forward.
Despite being the team’s top scorer this season, the 27-year-old has come under fire over the past week for his behavior on and off the pitch, particularly on the yacht.
Recommended stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
Here’s what we know about the petition.
What is a petition?
The petition, titled “Get Mbappé out”, has garnered at least 33 million signatures, far exceeding the original goal of 200,000 that the petitioners had set.
The exact date the petition was created is unclear, but it appears to have gained traction on Tuesday.
The tagline on the single-page website reads: “Speak up, Madridistas. If you think change is needed, don’t be silent. Sign this petition and support what you think is best for the club’s future.”
The display features a grinning Mbappe, splashed with a red neon sign that reads “Fuera”.
Why are Real Madrid fans mad at Mbappé?
Fans appear to be unhappy with Mbappe, who was given time off to recover from a thigh injury he sustained last month, but is likely to miss Sunday’s El Clasico after what is believed to have been a holiday in Italy.
The club has not yet provided an update on whether he will be available for the game against Barcelona.
But a photo of Mbappé with actress Esther Exposito on a yacht in Sardinia left fans furious, sparking a backlash over his lack of commitment.
Following backlash from fans, Exposito has disabled comments on recent Instagram posts. Social media users responded by posting comments on her previous posts.
Why did so many people sign the petition?
The petition’s website does not ask for email addresses or personal information before signing, so it cannot be confirmed whether all 33 million signatories are Real Madrid fans or whether some signed more than once.
Social media platforms are abuzz with the number of signatories, as this figure is almost half the population of France and more than the population of most countries participating in the FIFA World Cup.
Will the petition lead to any action?
No, such petitions are primarily symbolic.
The French forward has a five-year contract with Madrid until June 2029 and social media posts on Wednesday showed him training with the club.
He first started his career at Monaco, joining Los Blancos two seasons ago from his hometown club, Champions League finalists Paris Saint-Germain.
What does Real Madrid say about Mbappe and the petition?
Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa dismissed the controversy in a recent press conference.
“All plans for injured players are under the supervision of the medical staff,” Arbeloa said after Real’s win over Espanyol on Sunday.
“In his free time, Mbappe, like any player, can do whatever he sees fit,” he added.
The club is closely monitoring Mbappe’s recovery and has not made any statements suggesting that the trip may have affected his rehabilitation process.
Will Mbappé be able to represent France at the World Cup?
The forward is expected to be fully fit for France’s 2026 World Cup matches in June and July in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
France, who lost to the finalists at the Qatar 2022 tournament, will open against Senegal on June 16, before facing Iraq and Norway in the group stage.
Mbappe is also expected to be available for friendlies against Ivory Coast and Northern Ireland on June 4 and 8 respectively.
