Kylian Mbappé's return to the Santiago Bernabéu was far from the hero's welcome most would expect for a player of his caliber. The Real Madrid star, sidelined for the past two games with a hamstring injury, was met with a chorus of whistles from the home crowd as he stepped onto the pitch against Real Oviedo on Thursday night. A bemused smile crossed the French forward's face as he absorbed the hostile reception—a stark contrast to the adulation usually reserved for Galácticos.

Mbappé's injury, sustained against Real Betis in late April, forced him to miss matches against Espanyol and, more controversially, El Clásico against Barcelona. The controversy deepened when reports surfaced that he had returned from a holiday in Italy just moments before kick-off for the Espanyol game, fueling fan frustration. Although he trained the day before El Clásico, Mbappé was ultimately ruled out, leaving many supporters questioning his commitment.

Against Real Oviedo, Mbappé was deemed fit enough for the bench and entered the fray with 22 minutes remaining. The whistles that greeted him were unmistakable, a clear message from a fanbase that demands total dedication. It wasn't just Mbappé feeling the heat, though. Teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni, returning to action after being fined €500,000 for his altercation with Fede Valverde, received a mixed response of applause and jeers. Meanwhile, Vinícius Júnior was whistled throughout the night whenever he touched the ball, adding to the tense atmosphere.

The drama didn't end with the final whistle. Despite Real Madrid's 2-0 victory, Mbappé made headlines by claiming he was fit to start but was told by manager Álvaro Arbeloa that he was the "fourth forward." Arbeloa quickly fired back, asserting his authority as the one who decides the lineup and denying he ever made such a comment. The exchange has only added fuel to the fire, leaving fans and pundits alike wondering what's next for the embattled superstar and his relationship with the Bernabéu faithful.