Kylian Mbappé has publicly backed Vinicius Jr after another difficult performance for Real Madrid sparked boos from the Bernabéu crowd. With criticism mounting against the Brazilian winger ahead of the Clásico, the French forward has urged his teammate to remain calm and trust his quality.

Real Madrid secured a 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig in their third Champions League match, while Barcelona suffered a 4-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Yan Diomandé impressed after coming off the bench, further winning over Madrid supporters, but Vinicius struggled to make an impact.

The Brazilian, who will miss Sunday’s Clásico through suspension, faced jeers from the crowd after an uninspiring display. His recent performances have fuelled criticism, with some supporters increasingly favouring Diomandé on the left wing.

Speaking to Movistar after the match, Mbappé defended his teammate and acknowledged the frustration he may be feeling. “Vinicius—we feel he’s doing just fine,” he said. “It’s natural for him to be a bit sad, because he wants to contribute a great deal to this team, as well as to the supporters. He needs to stay calm and take pride in the player he is. He certainly has the quality.” Mbappé also admitted that he wants to improve his own performances: “I need to score goals. I believe I can do even better. It’s not enough for a player like me. I have to keep going.”