Mbappe Penalty Drama: The Diving Debate Shakes Real Madrid

Penalties and Perceptions: Mbappé Under the Lens

A major Spanish outlet, Mundo Deportivo, launched a sharp critique of Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé, accusing him of mastering the art of drawing penalties through acting and convincing referees, in a report by Javier Bosch that highlights a recurring pattern in the Frenchman’s goals since joining the club.

According to the report, Mbappé’s first La Liga goal under Carlo Ancelotti came from a penalty against Betis; similarly, his first goals under Xabi Alonso and during Álvaro Arbeloa’s tenure were all penalties, often at the Santiago Bernabéu, regardless of the opponent or the referee.

Bosch notes that Mbappé has converted 63 penalties and missed 14, marking him as a prolific finisher who is not immune to mistakes.

However, the more troubling point, the paper argues, isn’t the execution but how he earns his penalties in the first place.

The report points to several controversial moments, notably against Levante and Osasuna, where Mbappé was accused of artful simulation and diving at the slightest contact, enough to fool referees and even the VAR system.

Bosch even jokes that Mbappé dives better than a renowned water polo legend, a jab that underscores the writer’s sarcasm while keeping the discussion pointed.

The author concedes that Mbappé remains one of the world’s top scorers and a potential Ballon d’Or contender after Messi, but stresses that a player of such magnitude should not tarnish his image with these acts, especially in an era where cameras are ruthless.

Punchline 1: If Mbappé’s dives were an Olympic sport, he’d win gold without breaking a sweat. Punchline 2: And if acting could win medals, the only thing standing between him and a full podium would be a VAR decision that actually favors fairness.