Kylian Mbappé Criticized For Real Madrid's Guard of Honor Snub in Barcelona Win

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has launched a critique of Kylian Mbappé following the Real Madrid star's controversial refusal to engage in a guard of honor after the Spanish Super Cup final.  

Barcelona president branded the Frenchman's decision to urge his teammates to leave the pitch as "surprising" and lacking in sportsmanship. Barça won 3-2 to claim their first trophy of 2026 – and what turned out to be Xabi Alonso's last game as manager for Real Madrid. 

The aftermath of Sunday’s pulsating El Clásico in Jeddah has proven to be just as fiery as the 90 minutes that preceded it. Barcelona retained their Supercopa de España crown with a hard-fought 3-2 victory. However, the celebrations were marred by a flashpoint involving Real Madrid’s marquee talisman, Mbappé.

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, Mbappé 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 honor 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 Mbappé’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