Kylian Mbappe is under fire in Spain after an underwhelming Champions League quarter-final performance against Arsenal, and Spanish journalists are not holding back.
The PSG superstar, who’s long been touted as the heir to Cristiano Ronaldo, failed to score in either leg of the tie as Real Madrid were dumped out of the competition with a shocking 5-1 aggregate defeat.
On Cadena SER’s El Larguero, pundits slammed Mbappe’s display at the Santiago Bernabéu, claiming he’s nowhere near the level Madrid fans expected — especially in comparison to club legend Ronaldo.
Tomas Roncero didn’t mince words:
“Whoever thought Mbappe is the new Cristiano should forget it… Cristiano was on a wild level. Mbappe hasn’t pulled out the top hat since the City game.”
Antonio Romero observed the lack of applause when Mbappe limped off injured, noting the Bernabéu’s louder cheers for Brahim Diaz, who came on in his place:
“That’s the worst sign for Mbappe.”
Julio Pulido echoed the sentiment, backing the fans who whistled the Frenchman:
“Mbappe will never be Cristiano. He doesn’t have the leadership or character. These whistles are part of his paycheck.”
Romero added that Madrid’s attacking leadership void with neither Vinicius nor Mbappe stepping up has cost the team this season.
To make matters worse, Mbappe now faces a race against time to be fit for the Copa del Rey final on April 26 against Barcelona, after sustaining an ankle injury in the second half. Los Blancos next face Athletic Club in LaLiga on Sunday, April 20.
