Alavés Defender Benched After Requesting Mbappé’s Jersey Mid-Match

On Tuesday, Real Madrid beat Alavés (3-2) in a hard-fought match as part of the 7th round of the Liga at the Santiago Bernabéu. But an unusual scene filmed has caught the attention of supporters. While the Merengues were returning to the locker rooms "with a two-goal advantage (2-0), Kylian Mbappé, scorer a few minutes earlier (40’), gave his jersey to one of his direct opponents of the evening, the Moroccan central defender, Abdel Abqar". The Moroccan international had asked him for it.

Alavés’ coach did not seem to appreciate this gesture. When they returned from the locker rooms, the match continued without the Moroccan international (2 caps) Abdel Abqar. He was replaced by a much more offensive element, midfielder Jon Guridi, for the second half. It remains to be seen whether this was a tactical choice or a disciplinary decision. The 25-year-old player did not appear on the Basque club’s bench.