Criticized after Madrid derby, Mbappé judged "unworthy of Ballon d'Or" by Spanish press

Real Madrid fell 2-1 to Atlético Madrid on Sunday in the capital derby, leaving the Merengue in fourth place in La Liga, six points behind FC Barcelona after just seven matches.

José Mourinho’s side held on until halftime before crumbling early in the second half. A penalty converted by Alex Grimaldo, accompanied by a red card for Dean Huijsen, followed by a second goal from Jonathan David six minutes later sealed the match. Antonio Rüdiger pulled one back in the closing minutes, but it was not enough to revive a team already beaten the previous week away at Betis Seville.

After the match, Kylian Mbappé showed restraint on the refereeing question. “I think certain things, but I keep them to myself. The referee is a human being, he makes mistakes, and there were mistakes, but I don’t want to get into that subject,” the French striker told newspaper AS.

The Spanish press, however, was less measured. Journalist Fernando Palomo, on Cadena Ser, delivered a harsh verdict: “Mbappé did not play a match worthy of a player who constantly claims to deserve the Ballon d’Or. He was an ordinary player in a match that requires very high-level players.” Words that fuel recurring criticism in Spain, according to which the former Paris player only raises his level in lesser matches.

With this second consecutive defeat, Real Madrid sees Barcelona, Atlético and Betis ahead of them in the standings, and the pressure on Mbappé — expected as the club’s leading offensive leader since his arrival — is beginning to mount.