Kylian Mbappe's absence from El Clasico has sparked growing concern within Real Madrid, as the superstar forward continues to make headlines for all the wrong reasons.

The Frenchman missed the 2-0 loss to FC Barcelona in Catalonia after pulling out of training due to discomfort on match day. However, whispers from inside the club suggest the 27-year-old may have withdrawn after learning he was set to start on the bench rather than in the starting XI.

According to reports from The Athletic, disappointment with Mbappe is spreading across all levels at the Santiago Bernabeu. The forward hasn't featured for Los Blancos since their 1-1 draw against Real Betis—his 100th appearance for the club—when he suffered a hamstring injury.

Since then, tensions have escalated. A trip to Italy with his partner during his recovery raised eyebrows both in the dressing room and among the club's hierarchy. Then came the confusion surrounding his availability for El Clasico. While medical staff never expected him to be fully fit for the match, his decision to train with the team on Saturday gave a glimmer of hope—only for his sudden withdrawal due to discomfort the following day to frustrate training ground staff.

Even his social media activity has drawn criticism. Mbappe posted an Instagram message supporting his teammates during the match, but the timing—when Real Madrid were already trailing 2-0—didn't sit well with fans, teammates, or staff.

This isn't an isolated incident either. Before the Betis game, the France captain was reportedly involved in a training ground altercation with a member of Alvaro Arbeloa's staff, further souring the atmosphere in the locker room.

As one source from within the club put it, all is not well in Madrid's star-studded camp. For a player of Mbappe's caliber, the expectations are sky-high—and right now, those expectations aren't being met.