Having come on for the last 25 minutes during the Real-Atlético clash (3-2) on Sunday, Kylian Mbappé has been subjected to the wrath of several Spanish media for his lack of collective involvement.

Real Madrid have not given up on the La Liga title race. Trailing 0-1 and then equalizing at 2-2, Los Blancos triumphed in the clash against Atlético Madrid (3-2) on Sunday, closing the gap to four points behind league leaders Barcelona. After returning to action five days earlier against Manchester City, Kylian Mbappé came on in the 64th minute, replacing the young Thiago Pitarch. His performance, however, failed to truly convince some of the Spanish club's supporters.

"He did nothing more than stroll around the Bernabeu pitch."

Josep Pedrerol, presenter of the popular Spanish talk show El Chiringuito, lamented the Frenchman's lack of collective involvement in a team that had rediscovered its commitment under coach Alvaro Arbeloa. The journalist believes the World Cup winner distanced himself from the collective effort after Federico Valverde's sending-off in the 77th minute. "With Arbeloa, it's a different Real Madrid," he analyzed after the match. "He runs, he fights, he knows what he's playing. A committed, united Real Madrid. It's a shame they finished with nine men, without Valverde... and without Mbappé." "Arbeloa almost lost La Liga by playing Mbappé," the journalist added.

This observation was shared by the Madrid-based daily AS and its columnist, Tomas Roncero. "He came on for 25 minutes and did nothing but stroll around the Bernabéu pitch," he lamented. "Kylian is incredibly talented, but he lacks the empathy needed to understand what this club needs to create a real connection with him and win the hearts of the Madrid fans. Vinicius can make mistakes, but he makes them with heart. Kylian is so detached in his actions that the Bernabéu crowd no longer knows what to think of him. He's capable of scoring tons of goals, but during those 25 minutes, he didn't press Atlético's attacks at all, despite being down to ten men, which displeased the fans. Mbappé needs to rethink his attitude, and his friend Vinicius has shown him the way."

The debate over Mbappé's use in this team also stirred up discussion on Carrusel Deportivo radio. "Watching Mbappé… He presses as usual, which is to say he does NOTHING, and when he goes forward, he's missing something. The question is how Arbeloa will manage the team's tactical setup when Mbappé is in the starting lineup," the journalists wondered.

The 2018 World Cup winner, selected for the French national team for the friendlies against Brazil and Colombia, is regaining his form after missing five Real Madrid matches due to a knee injury. Following the game, his coach, Alvaro Arbeloa, defended him. "Every day, I try to field the best possible eleven," he said. "When you have the best player in the world… the natural thing is to keep improving. Kylian played some very good minutes, and I'm sure he'll get more playing time with his national team."