Kylian Mbappe Out petition, explained: Why 30 million Real Madrid fans (and counting) seemingly want star to leave

What is the Kylian Mbappe Out petition?

An online petition was created on the cloud-based, app software platform Replit titled "Mbappe Out." It features a header photo with Mbappe's club headshot along with the glaring red text "FUERA" which is Spanish for "out."

The text that follows reads, "Madridistas, make your voice heard. If you believe change is needed, don't stay silent — sign this petition and stand for what you think is best for the club's future."

It allows fans to simply click a button to "Sign the Petition" with no other login credentials or other verification feature required.

So far, over 34 million fans — and counting — have placed their signature on the petition. However, according to a report by French publication Le Parisien, it's possible that given the ease of signing the petition, bots are artificially inflating the tally through automated technology, or the website itself could even be coded to artificially inflate the number.

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Why do Real Madrid fans want Kylian Mbappe to leave?

With Real Madrid failing to win a single major title as of Kylian Mbappe's arrival two years ago, tensions around his presence within the squad have increased significantly.

Despite his exceptional individual performances, winning La Liga top goalscorer in his first season and leading the table for the award again this term, and challenging Cristiano Ronaldo's single-season goal scoring record in the Champions League, fans have begun to equate Mbappe's arrival with the club's downturn simply by association.

Even with Mbappe playing central striker, he and Vinícius Jr. largely occupy the same spaces on the pitch, making it difficult for both players to perform at a high level simultaneously.

As a result, there has been increased scrutiny over Mbappe's ability to elevate the team even while excelling individually. So when reports emerged that he vacationed in Italy with his celebrity girlfriend, Ester Exposito, while rehabbing an injury, the fanbase grew frustrated with what it perceived as a lack of dedication to the cause.