France captain Kylian Mbappe is facing mounting pressure heading into this summer’s World Cup following a difficult period both on and off the pitch.

The 26-year-old endured a turbulent season at Real Madrid, where supporters at the Santiago Bernabeu turned on him at various points throughout the campaign.

Reports emerged that the club spoke to Mbappe directly about his behaviour during the second half of the season, with his attitude said to have caused dismay among his teammates.

His commitment was called into question after he appeared fit enough to feature against Barcelona in El Clasico, only to withdraw from the squad late after learning he would start on the bench.

The concerns have carried over into the international stage, with a series of incidents involving the France national team now adding to the scrutiny surrounding him.

According to reports discussed on Siempre Madrid, Mbappe gave his France teammate Ngolo Kante the cold shoulder in the tunnel during a recent friendly match, a gesture that reportedly did not go unnoticed within the camp.

Following France’s warm-up game against Northern Ireland, Mbappe also left the national team setup hours after the fixture, citing personal reasons for his early departure.

He was subsequently photographed with his girlfriend, Spanish actress Ester Exposito, raising further questions about his focus and commitment during an important pre-tournament period.

Problems on the pitch have also surfaced, with Ballon d’Or winner and Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele reportedly questioning Mbappe’s defensive work-rate in the dressing room, a criticism that has followed the forward throughout his time in Spain.

Mbappe enters the World Cup as one of the favourites for the Golden Boot, carrying enormous expectations as the captain of a star-studded France squad widely tipped to challenge for the trophy.

PSG’s recent Champions League success, contrasted with Real Madrid’s struggles, has only increased the scrutiny directed at Mbappe, with many pointing the finger at him when things have gone wrong.

France will look to him to lead from the front this summer, and if he falls short of the high standards expected, the growing noise around his conduct and performances will intensify significantly.

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