image via - @KMbappe/ X

‘It’s Disgraceful’ – Football Pundit Craig Burley Reacts To Mbappe’s Tackle On Antonio Blanco

Craig Burley Furiously Demanded Severe Punishment After Kylian Mbappe’s Challenge.

image via - @KMbappe/ X

Real Madrid escaped a narrow victory against Alaves in which Kylian Mbappe received a red card. In what is termed as a brutal challenge by the Frenchman on Antonio Blanco, many are arguing he is in for a significant punishment for the challenge.

Thanks to a first-half Eduardo Camavinga goal, Real Madrid was helped to a marginal victory. Carlo Ancelotti’s side are still trailing by four points to Barcelona with 31 games played. With the suspension of Mbappe coming at such a crucial stage, Real Madrid is stretched more than they expected.

🚨 NEW: Kylian Mbappé’s suspension will most likely be 1 to 3 matches. He will PLAY in the Copa del Rey final.

The referee’s report mentions that Mbappé was fighting for the BALL. @elmundoes pic.twitter.com/2TxPlKLZ5n
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) April 13, 2025

Reflecting on Mbappe’s challenge on Blanco, former footballer and pundit Craig Burley was furious. Addressing the incident to be: “Disgraceful”, Burley spoke to ESPN:

“It was a Horrendous Challenge. Disgraceful, that’s the way to describe it. The intent to injure a player is always difficult to prove, but as far as I know, that is intent to injure a player”

“The fact that [Blancol isn’t in the back of an ambulance going to the hospital with a snapped leg is sheer luck, That is an egotistical big head who thinks he can do what he wants.”

Craig Burley called Kylian Mbappé's tackle on Antonio Blanco which resulted in a red card an "utter disgrace." pic.twitter.com/8oJaeC0x9E
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 13, 2025

Talking about if things were any different, it could have been a severe injury to Blanco, Bailey added:

“That’s a career-ending challenge, the fact that Blanco’s studs were not planted on the ground saved him. I’m not trying to embellish a story here. I don’t what the governing bodies are going to do in terms of suspension, but they have to come down and hit him with something hard”

❗️Kylian Mbappé apologizing to Antonio Blanco after the tackle.

He also apologized to his teammates. @diarioas pic.twitter.com/LamjoM4pyr
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) April 13, 2025

Mbappe will be hoping to get out of the situation without much complications. According to the reaction on the internet, Mbappe took time to apologise to Blanco and the Alaves team after the game. However, the 26-year-old is still speculated to face some heavy punishment.

Real Madrid will host Arsenal in the second leg on Wednesday as they move on from La Liga. Mbappe will try to clear his head as he will have bigger mountains to climb with a three-goal trail from their visit to the Emirates Stadium. It’ll be a night of drama as the Los Blancos will try to have to pull the miracle they are known for in the Champions League.

Alaves vs Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe

Real Madrid

Mayur Dedwal

soccer

I’m a Sports Content Writer with expertise in football. Being a decade old football enthusiast and part-time coach, I try to bring to life to the articles in a statistical manner. Being around all kinds of sports updates and able to put in my perspective’s to the happenings in the world of football are few of the many things i like in doing what i do. You can find me playing Sunday leagues or Xbox on weekends!