"After the Spanish Super Cup final, Xabi Alonso, already under pressure, wanted Real Madrid to offer Barcelona a Guard of Honour. It was a gesture of respect, but it was also a test of authority. That authority did not hold. Mbappe, the club's biggest star, instructed players to leave the pitch, a moment that spoke volumes about who truly held power in that squad."
"Back in March 2024, when Real Madrid's pursuit of Kylian Mbappe was dominating headlines, Laporta offered a sharp assessment that many dismissed at the time. The Barcelona president openly questioned how such a high-profile signing would affect the balance inside Madrid's dressing room, stating, "I don't envy Real Madrid signing Mbappe. He will distort their locker room." It was a comment that drew criticism then, but today it reads more like a warning than a provocation."
Joan Laporta warned in March 2024 that signing Kylian Mbappe could distort Real Madrid's dressing room. Tension inside the squad escalated and was exposed after the Spanish Super Cup final when Xabi Alonso requested a Guard of Honour for Barcelona. Mbappe instructed players to leave the pitch, undermining Alonso's authority in a decisive moment. Sources indicate Alonso felt his position weakened beyond repair. The club dismissed Alonso shortly thereafter. The episode illustrates how high-profile signings can bring goals and attention while also shifting internal balance and compromising managerial control if not carefully managed.
Read at Barca Universal
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]