Mbappé’s post-match outburst: referee insult could spark a disciplinary spotlight

Mbappé allegedly directs insult at referee after Elche clash

In a Spanish report published on Tuesday, Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid's French forward, allegedly directed a verbal insult at the match official after Elche versus Real Madrid in La Liga round 13, a game that ended 2-2.

With the draw, Real Madrid moved to 32 points and held first place, one point ahead of Barcelona, while Elche climbed to 16 points in 13th place of the La Liga table.

Cameras captured Mbappé reacting to the referee at the final whistle, earning a yellow card for his protests.

According to the Spanish network DAZN, Mbappé did more than protest; he directed a verbal insult toward the official.

The report adds that Mbappé lost his temper after dropping two points and sought clarification from the referee about time-wasting, which culminated in the insult.

A video clip allegedly shows Mbappé uttering the insult in French, which helps explain why the referee did not issue a red card.

Mbappé could face a disciplinary sanction if the club's disciplinary committee decides to open an investigation.

Collective decline, not Mbappé alone

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said the dip in Mbappé’s goal tally in recent matches stems from collective issues within the squad.

When asked about Mbappé's lack of shots on goal in the last two games, Alonso replied that the matter is entirely collective and that work on set pieces is needed, with goals likely to return. He spoke during a press conference ahead of the Elche match, as reported by AS.

Alonso defended his decision to deploy Fran Garcia in a less conventional position, explaining that the role was intended to add width and alter the team's dynamics, though the timing of a concession after the equalizer was unfortunate.

Regarding Vinícius Jr., who again started on the bench, Alonso stressed that there were no concerns about his commitment or discipline; the Brazilian talent knows his role, and the team expects him to help restore positive momentum.

Alonso also noted that after the 1-1 draw, Real Madrid lacked the continuity necessary to sustain pressure, with the first half showing good build-up before players failed to sustain the decisive push.

He highlighted that the squad continues to work as one unit, celebrating victories and enduring defeats together, with the aim of turning this sentiment into a strong push before the upcoming clash with Olympiakos in the Champions League.

The coach also addressed the tactical choice that placed Garcia in a broader position, stating that the move was not new for him and that the team sought more width on the flanks to shift the game’s shape, even though the moment of conceding shortly after the equalizer complicated plans.

Alonso also indicated there are no concerns about Vinícius Jr.’s commitment, recounting conversations with the forward and emphasizing that everyone on the squad is eager to regain positive rhythm.

On the broader concerns from the match, Alonso admitted that the team’s tempo and intensity dipped after the equalizer and that the first half lacked the necessary aggression at decisive moments.

Tense wait and debate

Real Madrid finds itself in a period of uncertainty regarding the future of manager Xabi Alonso, who took charge last summer on a three-year contract, receiving broad praise for modernizing methods after the Carlo Ancelotti era.

The start of Alonso’s tenure was not flawless, with a heavy 0-4 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semi-final, a result that shocked fans and pundits alike.

Despite encouraging results in La Liga and the Champions League, the overall performance has not fully convinced observers, fueling speculation about the coach’s tenure.

Before the Clasico, some pundits argued that a loss to Barcelona could represent a point of no return for Alonso. A Clasico win restored some confidence, but subsequent defeats to Liverpool and Real Valladolid revived doubts about his ability to steer the team through tough periods, according to Mundo Deportivo.