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Mbappé’s Gesture That Cast a Shadow Over Barcelona’s Celebration
The Clásico was over, but one decision after the final whistle reignited tension on Super Cup night.
A tense ending after the final whistle
The Spanish Super Cup final crowned FC Barcelona champions against Real Madrid, but the tension did not fade when the match ended. As Hansi Flick’s side began their celebrations, Madrid players headed straight toward the bench instead of remaining on the pitch.
It was Xabi Alonso who called his players back to the field to follow the official protocol. Both teams then formed a guard of honor for the referees, after which Real Madrid received their runners-up medals, preceded by a respectful aisle from the Barcelona players.
Mbappé steps in
The most controversial moment came immediately afterward. According to journalist Alfredo Martínez, it was Kylian Mbappé who urged his teammates to leave the pitch, preventing the traditional guard of honor for the champions.
Broadcast cameras captured the French forward visibly frustrated, gesturing and speaking to his teammates as he led them away from the field, making his displeasure clear following the defeat.
An image that did not go unnoticed
Mbappé’s reaction sparked strong criticism among Barcelona supporters, many of whom viewed the gesture as unsporting given the context of a title celebration.
One of the most striking images showed Raúl Asencio initially moving toward the aisle before being stopped by Mbappé, a moment that quickly spread across social media and intensified the debate.
Physical condition and mounting frustration
Mbappé featured in the closing stages of the match despite not being fully fit. He had trained only once prior to the final and was still dealing with discomfort in his left knee, factors that appeared to influence both his performance and his body language.
Tensions had already flared during the match, particularly after a heavy challenge by Asencio on Pedri, which sparked a brief confrontation involving Raphinha, Fede Valverde, Huijsen, and Lamine Yamal, resulting in multiple yellow cards.
A final defined by intensity on and off the pitch
Beyond that incident, the Clásico unfolded within the usual emotional boundaries expected of a fixture of this magnitude. Still, Kylian Mbappé’s post-match decision became one of the defining talking points after the final whistle.
A single gesture that reignited controversy, left an uncomfortable image, and added another chapter to football’s fiercest rivalry.
