In a critique of what he describes as the herd mentality among Real Madrid fans, observers of the Spanish club believe that blaming Kylian Mbappé for the decline in Vinícius Júnior's performance has become a common opinion that many repeat without clear evidence, to the point that it has turned into what seems like an established truth for some.
The writer cites a viral scene from East Asia, where a content creator touched the ground and kissed his hand before ascending a bridge, followed by a group of people who repeated the same gesture, as an example of how collective behavior is mimicked without questioning its reasons or meaning.
The writer applies this idea to the ongoing debate among Real Madrid fans over the past two years, noting that Mbappé has become a scapegoat for Vinícius's decline, being accused of interfering with his position, not cooperating with his teammates, and negatively impacting the team's performance and locker room dynamics.
However, the writer poses a counter-question, referencing player Diomande, who is mentioned to have started five matches out of 12 and scored three goals while assisting four, according to FotMob statistics.
He questions: if Mbappé's presence on the field hinders his teammates' performance and limits their freedom, why was Diomande able to score, assist, dribble, and deliver a standout performance despite the presence of the French star?
The writer concludes that some of the circulating opinions about Mbappé may stem from a desire to find excuses for the decline in certain players' performances instead of objectively evaluating their play, affirming that repeating accusations does not make them facts, and that judgment on players should be based on their contributions on the field, not on narratives echoed by the audience without scrutiny.