Kylian Mbappé is once again making headlines in Spanish football—not for his goals or dazzling performances, but for a moment of uncharacteristic aggression: a shocking challenge that earned him a direct red card during Real Madrid’s clash with Alavés.
Despite Los Blancos securing a 1-0 victory thanks to Eduardo Camavinga’s brilliant strike, the focus quickly shifted to Mbappé’s dangerous tackle just 38 minutes into the first half. Realizing the severity of his action, the French forward left the pitch without protest after being sent off.
However, the main point of contention wasn’t the foul itself—but the possible suspension that could follow. Rumors swirled in Spain about a potential four-match ban, which could have sidelined Mbappé for the highly anticipated Copa del Rey final against Barcelona. The controversy deepened as fans awaited an official verdict from LaLiga.
After hours of speculation, many were stunned by the final ruling: LaLiga disciplinary officials concluded that Mbappé would serve just a one-match suspension, despite the tackle being deemed reckless by many observers.
As a result, the French star will only miss Sunday’s LaLiga fixture against Athletic Club. He’ll be available for the Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Arsenal (Wednesday, 4:00 PM Argentina time) and the Copa del Rey final—delivering a significant boost to Real Madrid’s title hopes.
Mbappé’s red card record
In total, the French forward has received four red cards throughout his professional career. The first three came while playing for Paris Saint-Germain, with the most recent dismissal dating back to 2019. Now, five years later, he sees red again—this time in a Real Madrid shirt.
The brief one-match ban has stirred debate across Spain. Many critics argue that the severity of the tackle warranted a longer suspension, especially considering the risk of injury to the opponent.
Nonetheless, with the ban limited to one match, Mbappé will be free to feature in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona—a critical fixture where his presence could prove decisive for Real Madrid.