The criticism towards Mbappe has been fueled by photos of him on holiday with actress Ester Exposito, which were posted on social media while Real Madrid was preparing for a crucial La Liga match against Espanyol. The club's coach, Alvaro Arbeloa, has defended Mbappe's actions, stating that players have the right to enjoy their free time.

However, some fans and pundits have perceived Arbeloa's comments as indirect criticism of Mbappe, who has been Real Madrid's leading scorer with 41 goals in 41 matches this season. Mbappe has come under heavy criticism since returning from injury in mid-March, with some accusing him of an overly individualistic approach.

According to Spanish media, Mbappe is becoming increasingly isolated in the dressing room, despite having established himself as a leader earlier in the campaign. Some fans and pundits have pointed to post-match comments from fellow stars Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham as signs of a growing rift with the France captain.

Mbappe's entourage has responded to the criticism, stating that part of it is based on an over-interpretation of elements linked to his recovery period, which is strictly supervised by the club. They emphasize that Mbappe's commitment and daily work for the team remain unchanged.

Mbappe has previously spoken about the scrutiny he faces, saying that he has reached a point where he is going to get criticized regardless of what he does, so he might as well do what he wants and stay true to himself.

The situation has sparked speculation about a potential clash of egos within the Madrid squad, with some fans and pundits pointing to friendly exchanges between Vinicius and Bellingham on social media as signs of a growing rift with Mbappe.