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Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Barcelona President Criticizes Kylian Mbappe's Controversial Actions After Supercopa Final

Following Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe's refusal to partake in a guard of honour after the Supercopa final, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has strongly condemned the lack of sportsmanship displayed. The aftermath of the fiery El Clasico has stirred up controversy and highlighted the tension between the arch-rivals.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Barcelona President Criticizes Kylian Mbappe's Controversial Actions After Supercopa Final

Joan Laporta has launched a scathing critique of Kylian Mbappe following the Real Madrid star's controversial refusal to engage in a guard of honour after the Spanish Super Cup final. The Barcelona president branded the Frenchman's decision to urge his team-mates to leave the pitch as "surprising" and lacking in sportsmanship, suggesting the dramatic 3-2 defeat in Saudi Arabia left Los Blancos "really upset" as they came to terms with their rivals' superiority.The aftermath of Sunday’s pulsating El Clasico in Jeddah has proven to be just as fiery as the 90 minutes that preceded it. Barcelona retained their Supercopa de Espana crown with a hard-fought 3-2 victory, a result that confirmed their current dominance over their arch-rivals. However, the celebrations were marred by a flashpoint involving Real Madrid’s marquee talisman, Mbappe.The French forward, who had risked his long-term fitness to play in the final despite nursing a troublesome knee injury, cut a frustrated figure at the full-time whistle. Having collected his runner-up medal, Mbappe was spotted furiously gesturing to his Real Madrid colleagues, urging them to leave the field immediately rather than stay to witness the trophy presentation or offer the customary respect to the victors. This snub, widely interpreted as preventing a guard of honour or at least a show of respect, has drawn the ire of the Barcelona hierarchy.Speaking to Catalan radio station RAC-1 in the wake of the triumph, Barcelona president Laporta did not hold back in his assessment of Mbappe’s conduct. The Blaugrana chief expressed his disappointment, arguing that true sporting greatness is measured by how one handles defeat as well as victory."I was surprised by what he did," Laporta admitted during the interview. "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."While mutual respect has largely governed El Clasico fixtures in recent years, the temperature has risen significantly this season. Laporta alluded to lingering tension from the first league meeting of the campaign - a match won by Real Madrid at the Bernabeu - which seemingly sowed the seeds for Sunday’s petulance."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 Mbappe 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."Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Perhaps the most cutting part of Laporta’s analysis was his suggestion that Mbappe’s outburst was born not just from the pain of losing a final, but from the realisation that Barcelona were the better side. The narrative leading into the game had arguably favoured Real Madrid, but the reality on the pitch in Saudi Arabia was different."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.Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingFor Mbappe personally, the evening was a disaster on multiple fronts. The 27-year-old came off the bench with 15 minutes left on the clock, desperate to deliver his first major final victory for Los Blancos against their eternal rivals. His knee issues were well-documented, yet he pushed through the pain barrier, only to find himself unable to turn the tide.The image of Mbappe discouraging his teammates from giving a guard of honour while Barcelona lifted the trophy will likely endure as the defining symbol of this Supercopa, a moment where frustration boiled over into disrespect.As the dust settles, the psychological blow may be significant. Barcelona currently hold a four-point lead in La Liga and the psychological upper hand of a cup final victory. Laporta’s words serve as a reminder that in the pressure cooker of Spanish football, the moral high ground is almost as valuable as the silverware itself. Real Madrid, and Mbappe specifically, will now have to steward that anger into their next performance, but for now, they stand accused of forgetting the basic tenets of sportsmanship in the heat of defeat.

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Joan Laporta's Critique of Kylian Mbappe

Barcelona president Joan Laporta did not mince his words when addressing Mbappe's actions post-Supercopa final. He expressed disappointment in the French player's conduct, emphasizing the importance of graciousness in both victory and defeat. Laporta highlighted the significance of maintaining sportsmanship in challenging moments.

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Increasing Tension in El Clasico

The recent El Clasico encounters have been marked by escalating tensions, with Laporta hinting at lingering animosity since the previous league match. The competitive edge and emotions running high have played a role in the aftermath of the Supercopa final, fueling Mbappe's controversial behavior.

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Implications for Real Madrid and Mbappe

Mbappe's actions not only reflected poorly on himself but also cast a shadow on Real Madrid's sportsmanship. Laporta's remarks emphasized the psychological impact of the defeat and the subsequent actions, hinting at the challenge Real Madrid now faces to regroup and maintain composure moving forward.

Published on Jan 12, 2026