Kylian Mbappe’s reaction to Real Madrid’s impressive performance against Borussia Dortmund has gone viral on social media.
After their Round of 16 victory over Italian powerhouse Juventus, Real Madrid are set to take on Borussia Dortmund in a Club World Cup quarter-final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Star forward Kylian Mbappe, who had been sidelined due to hospitalization and treatment for gastroenteritis, returned to the squad for the match, taking a place on the bench.
In Mbappe’s absence during the earlier stages of the tournament, young striker Gonzalo Garcia has risen to the occasion, netting three goals and providing one assist across four games.
The match against Dortmund followed a similar storyline, with Garcia making an impact just ten minutes into the game—fueling speculation among fans that Mbappe might now be uneasy about his standing at the club.
Following a draw with Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in their opening match, some Real Madrid supporters began to question the team’s form under new manager Xabi Alonso.
However, a commanding win over Juventus and a strong showing against Dortmund have shifted opinions, with some fans now speculating that Alonso might stick with his current starting lineup next season—even if it means leaving Kylian Mbappe on the bench.
During the match, after a brilliant piece of play by defender Fran Garcia that led to Real Madrid’s second goal, cameras captured Mbappe on the bench. The moment sparked fan reactions, with many suggesting the French star looked worried about how well the team is performing without him.
One fan posted on X: “Every team that moves on from Mbappe just gets better. I actually feel bad.”
Another quipped: “He saw unemployment flash before his eyes.”
A third added: “Kylian Mbappe is going to have to fight hard to replace Gonzalo García in the starting XI—this guy is on fire!”
If Real Madrid manage to maintain their lead against Borussia Dortmund, they will go on to face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals, following PSG’s 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich earlier on Saturday.
On the other side of the bracket, Chelsea are set to take on Brazilian club Fluminense in the other Club World Cup semi-final
