Barcelona president Joan Laporta has strongly criticized Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe for declining to participate in a guard of honour following the Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah. Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 3-2 to successfully defend their title, claiming the first piece of silverware of 2026. However, the victory was marred when Mbappe prevented his teammates from forming the traditional gesture of respect, waving them away as Barcelona prepared to receive their medals and trophy.
Laporta Demands Sportsmanship and Respect
Laporta expressed his disappointment with Mbappe’s behavior, emphasizing that graciousness in defeat is essential in professional sports. Speaking to RAC1, the Barcelona chief stated: “I was surprised by what Mbappe did. In both victory and defeat, you have to be generous and respectful. This is sport, and you should behave normally.” Laporta noted that Barcelona demonstrated generosity in victory and respect for their opponents, making Mbappe’s refusal particularly puzzling to him. The president acknowledged the emotional toll of losing, suggesting the Real Madrid players were hurt and reacting from that pain, but maintained that proper conduct should prevail.
Mbappe’s Ineffective Performance in Super Cup
Mbappe, returning from a knee injury, made minimal impact during the match after entering as a substitute in the 76th minute. The French striker managed only eight touches in 14 minutes, with just one touch in Barcelona’s penalty area, unable to influence the scoreline that was already 3-2. His disappointing outing highlighted the gulf in performance between the two sides, reinforcing Barcelona’s dominance and superiority on the field.