Mbappe calls on fans to back Vinicius Jr amid Real Madrid's struggles

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By Fernando Kallas

MADRID, Jan 19 : Kylian Mbappe has urged Real Madrid fans to refrain from singling out Vinicius Jr for the club's woes, insisting the blame for their stuttering form rests on the entire team.

The France forward appealed for unity ahead of Real's Champions League clash at home to Monaco on Tuesday, after tensions at the Santiago Bernabeu reached boiling point during Saturday's 2-0 LaLiga victory over Levante.

"I understand the fans because we're not doing things right," Mbappe told a press conference on Monday.

"What I didn't like was that if they boo, they should boo the whole team. You shouldn't single out one player. It's not Vini's fault that we're playing the way we are now.

"That's all I have to say: don't go after one player. It's our collective fault, and we have the character to change that on the pitch."

Despite Saturday's LaLiga win, which saw second-placed Real move within a point of Barcelona, who lost at Real Sociedad on Sunday, frustration spilled over at the Bernabeu, with the fans directing their anger at several players, including Vinicius.

The Brazil winger was jeered throughout the match and particularly targeted during the starting lineup announcements, with heavy boos resonating in the stadium.

The unrest follows a turbulent period for the 15-times European champions. Their defeat by Barca in the Spanish Super Cup final this month, coupled with a shock 3-2 Copa del Rey exit at second-division side Albacete, has left fans disillusioned.

ALONSO'S DISMISSAL FUELS TENSIONS

The dismissal of manager Xabi Alonso last week, seven months into his tenure, has further fuelled tensions.

Reports of internal discord, including clashes between the coach and