Kylian Mbappé Breaks Silence on Italy Controversy: ‘My Only Mistake Has Been Not Helping the Team Win Titles’

Kylian Mbappé has spoken publicly for the first time about the controversy surrounding his trip to Italy with rumoured girlfriend Ester Expósito, delivering a measured but firm rebuttal to supporters and critics who questioned his dedication to Real Madrid during his injury rehabilitation.

The 26-year-old addressed reporters in the mixed zone at the Santiago Bernabéu following Real Madrid’s 2-0 La Liga victory over Real Oviedo on Thursday, 15 May 2026 — his first appearance back in the squad after missing several matches with a hamstring issue. According to Fabrizio Romano, Mbappé stated: “My only mistake has been not to help the team win titles this season, like all my teammates. All the rest, it’s just opinions.”

The French international had travelled to Sardinia during his recovery period, with images of him alongside Spanish actress Ester Expósito — known internationally for her role in the Netflix series ‘Elite’ — circulating widely on social media. The photographs prompted an intense backlash from sections of the Real Madrid fanbase, who interpreted the trip as evidence of misplaced priorities during a challenging period for the club.

Prior to Mbappé’s own statement, his camp had already moved to contain the fallout, issuing a response that described the criticism as an “exaggerated interpretation” of a supervised recovery phase, and stressing his continued daily commitment and work ethic. Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa also publicly backed the player’s right to personal time during rehabilitation, offering institutional support amid the public pressure.

The backlash extended beyond social media commentary. An online “#MbappeOUT” petition calling for his departure from the club reportedly accumulated tens of millions of signatures — figures that have been heavily disputed due to suspected bot activity and unverifiable accounts.

Mbappé’s return against Oviedo on Thursday was not straightforward. Introduced as a substitute in the 69th minute, he was met with audible boos and whistles from portions of the home support at the Bernabéu — an unusual reception for a player of his stature at one of the world’s most prestigious clubs. Despite the hostile atmosphere, he made a positive contribution, providing the assist for Jude Bellingham’s late goal to help seal the 2-0 win.

The broader context of Mbappé’s debut season at Real Madrid has been one of underperformance relative to expectations. The club finished second in La Liga, with Barcelona claiming the title. His absence from high-profile fixtures, including the recent El Clásico defeat, added further scrutiny to what has been a difficult first campaign in Spain since his high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain.

Post-match, Mbappé remained composed when pressed further, reportedly telling journalists that criticism is an inherent part of representing a club of Real Madrid’s global stature. While he stopped short of formally confirming his relationship with Expósito, the framing of his comments effectively acknowledged the widely reported romance.

With La Liga’s season drawing to a close and Real Madrid already out of contention for the title, attention will now turn to whether Mbappé can re-establish himself as a central figure at the Bernabéu heading into the 2026-27 campaign — and whether Thursday’s cameo marks the beginning of a more settled chapter in his Madrid career.