Mbappe, Mourinho, meltdown: Real Madrid face Clasico amid chaos

TL;DR

Real Madrid faces Barcelona in a crucial Clasico amid turmoil, with Kylian Mbappe doubtful due to injury and fans protesting his commitment. The club is also considering a return for former coach Jose Mourinho as tensions rise among players and management.

Key points

Real Madrid faces Barcelona in a crucial Clasico.
Kylian Mbappe is doubtful due to a hamstring injury.
Fans are protesting against Mbappe's perceived lack of commitment.
Jose Mourinho is linked with a potential return as coach.
The club is experiencing significant internal turmoil and player tensions.

Mentioned in this story

Kylian MbappeJose MourinhoAlvaro ArbeloaFlorentino PerezFerland MendyAurelien TchouameniFederico ValverdeAntonio RudigerAlvaro CarrerasFran GarciaLuka ModricToni KroosNacho Fernandez

Real MadridBarcelona

Real Madrid have been linked with a return for former coach Jose Mourinho, while Kylian Mbappe is a doubt for the Clasico (PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA) (PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP/AFP) Real Madrid meet Clasico rivals Barcelona on Sunday in a state of high tension and disarray, with anything but a victory handing the Catalans the La Liga title. Alvaro Arbeloa's side trail the reigning champions by 11 points with four matches remaining and are sinking towards a second straight season without a major trophy. At a club that values success above all else, it is perhaps not surprising that Madrid are in meltdown, cracking under the strain. The mood around the club has become toxic. Fans are protesting against star player Kylian Mbappe for a perceived lack of commitment, while two training ground bust-ups have been reported. Exacerbating the situation, president Florentino Perez is weighing up a dramatic managerial twist, with former coach Jose Mourinho linked with a return to the Santiago Bernabeu. Current incumbent Arbeloa, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January, is at loggerheads with several players. Amid the maelstrom, defender Ferland Mendy was ruled out for around five months with a thigh injury. When it rains, it pours. Madrid's preparations for the Clasico have been far from ideal. Midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde almost came to blows on Wednesday after a foul in training, according to newspaper Marca. "The differences between players are evident, and some barely speak to each other," wrote the Spanish daily of the tension at the club. "Living with Alvaro Arbeloa is also difficult, in a context where pressure and exhaustion have finally reached their breaking point -- as many as six players refuse to speak to him." It follows another reported issue between defenders and a fortnight ago, which the latter said had been dealt with. "Regarding the incident with a team-mate, it was an isolated, unimportant issue, which has since been resolved," said Carreras on Instagram this week. "My relationship with the whole team is very good." Carreras, usually first choice at left-back, was pictured laughing after replaced the injured Mendy in that position instead of him during Sunday's win at .

Q&A

Why is Kylian Mbappe a doubt for the Clasico against Barcelona?

Kylian Mbappe is a doubt for the Clasico due to a hamstring injury and has faced criticism for going on holiday during his recovery.

What is the current situation at Real Madrid leading up to the Clasico?

Real Madrid is experiencing internal turmoil, with protests against Mbappe, reported training ground bust-ups, and speculation about a managerial change involving Jose Mourinho.

How many signatures does the 'Mbappe Out' petition have?

The 'Mbappe Out' petition has nearly 30 million signatures, reflecting significant fan discontent with the player's commitment.

What are the implications of a loss for Real Madrid in the Clasico?

A loss for Real Madrid would likely hand Barcelona the La Liga title and deepen the crisis at the club, which is already struggling with player morale and management issues.