Online Reporter
KYLIAN MBAPPE refused to give Barcelona a guard of honour in the final humiliation for Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid.
The Spanish gaffer left his former playing side after just 34 games in six months following Sunday’s Super Cup final defeat in Saudi Arabia.
Real were beaten 3-2 by Barca in a thrilling El Clasico showdown.
But it proved to be the last game for Alonso, who departed the Bernabeu a day later by mutual consent.
He has since been replaced by former Liverpool team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa.
And the bookies have already made Alonso favourite to replace Arne Slot at Anfield.
Now, it’s emerged that he was upstaged by star striker Mbappe after the Super Cup defeat at the weekend.
Reports of a power struggle at the Bernabeu plagued Alonso’s reign, with the manager eager to implement a new tactical structure similar to the one that brought Bayer Leverkusen Bundesliga title glory in 2024.
However, it was supposedly resisted by players who had previously been left to rely on their own individual skills and personalities to deliver the goods under previous boss Carlo Ancelotti.
And following Real’s defeat to Barca, video footage showed Mbappe orchestrating a major move on the pitch to undermine Alonso.
As Real collected their silver medals, players began to gather for a guard of honour to congratulate Barca.
But Mbappe began shouting at team-mates, and even Alonso himself, that “it won’t happen here.” Instead, the Frenchman dragged Real away from the scene, indicating his perceived power levels at the club.
Guillem Balague claims this looks to have been one of many similar moves from big-name players at Real to undermine Alonso’s credentials as the man calling the shots.
And it may have had something to do with his exit the following day, which Real branded a decision made by “mutual consent.” − Sun
