Laporta Critiques Mbappé Following Spanish Supercup Final: Where is the Sportsmanship?

The French star Kylian Mbappé, forward for Real Madrid, has ignited significant controversy following the Spanish Supercup final held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate that he urged his teammates not to participate in the honor guard to acknowledge the Barcelona players as they ascended the podium.

This incident occurred after Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 3-2 in the final match at Al-Inma Stadium, securing the Supercup title for the Catalan side.

Joan Laporta, president of FC Barcelona, was particularly vocal in his criticism of Mbappé, expressing surprise at the behavior displayed during the awards ceremony.

Laporta stated in an interview with "Ràdio Catalunya":

"What Mbappé did surprised me. Whether in victory or defeat, one should show generosity and respect. It’s a sport, and normal behavior is expected. At Barcelona, we respect our opponents in victory, which is why I didn’t understand Mbappé’s actions."

He further elaborated on the tense atmosphere leading up to the incident:

"There was something that happened between the players during the last league match, and the tension was palpable, which is understandable. Honestly, I didn’t see Mbappé’s behavior at that moment, but I understand that the Real Madrid players were quite upset."

Laporta continued:

"I believe they knew our chances of winning were greater, and they could see that on the pitch, which heightened their feelings of anger."

These remarks come amid an ongoing discussion regarding player conduct during high-stakes matches, particularly in the context of the Clasico, where sportsmanship remains a focal point regardless of the competitive intensity.