Kylian Mbappe criticised amid claims he prevented Barcelona’s guard of honour

The final produced a dramatic contest. Barcelona opened the scoring in the 36th minute, while three goals in first-half stoppage time saw the match level at 2-2 at the break. Raphinha then scored the decisive goal in the 73rd minute to secure the trophy for Barcelona.

During the medal ceremony, Real Madrid players were presented with their silver medals before Barcelona were crowned champions. After receiving his medal, Mbappe was seen urging his teammates to leave the podium area rather than remain on the pitch to form a guard of honour for Barcelona.

Spanish journalist Alfredo Martinez commented on the incident on X, writing: “Real Madrid did not form the champions’ guard of honour for Barcelona. Barça had done so. Mbappé led them away from there. Ugly gesture. Inexplicable.”

In a follow-up post, he added: “Real Madrid says that it’s the Federation who tells them to go to another area because they were in the camera shot and that’s why they don’t do the guard of honour…..??”

Criticism of Mbappe intensified amid claims that Barcelona had formed a guard of honour for Real Madrid earlier in the ceremony. On social media, many fans accused Mbappe of “unsportsmanlike behaviour”, with some labelling the gesture “classless” and describing Real Madrid as “sore losers”.

Mbappe had been reported to be carrying an injury before the Spanish Super Cup but returned for the final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He joined in the second half but was unable to help Real Madrid overturn the result.

Despite the controversy, Mbappe remains Real Madrid’s standout performer this season, having scored 28 goals across 25 competitions. He is currently competing with Harry Kane and Erling Haaland in the race for the European Golden Boot.

Real Madrid now face growing pressure after losing a third consecutive domestic final to Barcelona and trailing their rivals by four points in La Liga.

Up next, Los Blancos face Albacete in the Copa del Rey on January 15, before returning to the Bernabeu to play Levante on January 17. They then take on Monaco in the Champions League on January 21, Villarreal in La Liga on January 25, and Benfica in the Champions League on January 29.