The aftermath of Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final has escalated into a war of words, with Barcelona President Joan Laporta delivering a scathing critique of Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé’s conduct following Barcelona’s 3-2 victory.
The controversy centers on Mbappé’s refusal to participate in or allow teammates to perform the traditional guard of honour for the victors, a gesture Laporta has branded as disrespectful and lacking in sportsmanship.
The incident unfolded in the immediate moments after the final whistle at the Alinma Stadium in Jeddah. Television footage and social media videos captured Mbappé, who had entered the match as a late substitute, visibly frustrated and gesturing to his Real Madrid teammates to leave the pitch rather than stay for the trophy presentation or offer the customary applause to the winning side.
The French forward, who had played through a knee injury, cut a despondent figure after failing to help his team secure what would have been his first major final victory for Los Blancos against their eternal rivals.
In an interview with Catalan radio station RAC1, Laporta expressed his profound disappointment with the World Cup winner’s actions. “I was surprised by what he did,” Laporta stated. “In victory and in defeat, you have to be generous and respectful. This is sport, and you must maintain normal behaviour. I believe that we, in victory, were generous and respected the opposing team. That is why I cannot understand it”.
The Barcelona president emphasized the importance of upholding traditions and mutual respect, even in the fiercest of rivalries, suggesting that true sporting greatness is measured by conduct in both triumph and disappointment.
Laporta contextualized the flashpoint by referencing heightened tensions between the two clubs, which he described as “very bad and currently broken” in comments made just prior to the final. He pointed to lingering animosity from their first La Liga clash of the season at the Bernabéu, a match won by Real Madrid, as a contributing factor to the heated atmosphere.
“There was a different edge since the league match, and the players were a bit stung,” Laporta explained. “It’s understandable. The truth is that I didn’t see that specific moment of Mbappé on the pitch live, but I understand that it must have been a difficult time. They must have been really upset, and that’s why they reacted that way”.
Beyond a simple breach of protocol, Laporta suggested Mbappé’s outburst was symptomatic of a deeper frustration born from Real Madrid’s recognition of Barcelona’s superiority on the night. “They imagined we had a better chance of winning this game, but they saw it for themselves on the pitch, and that, in the end, is tough. You see what happens,” he added, framing the reaction as one of a team struggling to accept its defeat.
The victory marked Barcelona’s third consecutive cup final win over Real Madrid, following triumphs in last season’s Super Cup and Copa del Rey, further intensifying the psychological blow.
The incident has sparked widespread debate over sportsmanship in elite football. While some fans and pundits have criticized Mbappé for perceived petulance, others have noted a mitigating detail: footage also shows Barcelona’s 18-year-old winger Lamine Yamal abstaining from the initial guard of honour formed by his own team for the runners-up, briefly standing apart and drinking water before collecting his medal.
This nuance has led some to question whether Mbappé’s actions were a direct response, though it does not fully explain his apparent instructions to teammates to leave the ceremony.
For Mbappé, the controversy adds another layer to a challenging start to his Real Madrid career. Laporta has previously been openly skeptical about the Frenchman’s integration into the squad, suggesting last March that his arrival on a massive contract could “distort” the dressing room dynamics and create a tactical dilemma alongside Vinícius Júnior.
“They’ve got a problem there,” Laporta had remarked at the time. “They’ll have to sell in order to get him, won’t they? They won’t be able to play Mbappé and Vinicius in the same position, will they? And let’s not speak about the numbers being quoted… that’ll destroy the changing room, I’m sure”.
As the dust settles on the Saudi spectacle, the fallout extends beyond a single trophy. Barcelona now holds a psychological and tangible upper hand, leading in La Liga and having secured the season’s first piece of silverware at their rival’s expense.
Laporta’s pointed comments reinforce a narrative that Barcelona won not only on the scoreboard but also in upholding the dignity of the occasion.