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Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has defended teammate Jude Bellingham who was booed by sections of the club’s supporters during their recent match. Madrid claimed a 2-0 win over Levante in La Liga at the weekend, but Bellingham and Vinicius Jr were both singled out by sections of the club’s home supporters at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The victory leaves Madrid in second place in the La Liga standings and just one point behind leaders Barcelona after their 2-1 defeat to Real Sociedad over the weekend.

The match was just the second for Real since Xabi Alonso left the club by "mutual agreement" earlier this month, with the former Bayer Leverkusen boss going on to be replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa.

Arbeloa's first match in charge saw Madrid knocked out of the Copa del Rey in the round of 16 stage by Spanish second division club Albacete last week.

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Mbappe was speaking ahead of Real’s Champions League match against Monaco this week, where the France international defended Bellingham after his teammate was booed at the weekend.

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"No one doubts Jude Bellingham's quality. He has so much potential," Mbappe said.

"When he's fit, he's one of the best in the world. It's tough, for everyone. We can accept that the fans aren't happy. But they should boo everyone, it's not about Jude's foul or one player in particular.

"It's our job to change the situation. We won in the league and now we have to keep going in the Champions League. If the fans see that we're putting in the effort, that we're playing well, they'll be back with us."

Mbappe added: "I understand the fans, but the only thing I haven't liked is that if they whistle, they should whistle the whole squad.

"They shouldn't single out one player. It's the fault of the whole team. Madrid fans aren't against us, they're angry, that's normal."

Mbappe also revealed that he and Alonso have spoken since the now-former Madrid boss left the Bernabeu, where he offered his support to his former boss as well as the club.

"I spoke with him [Alonso] the day the news broke," Mbappe said.

"We talked about life and what's going to happen next. I wanted to support him because it's never easy when these kinds of things happen.

"It's not my responsibility to say whether it's fair or unfair. With all the affection I have for Xabi Alonso, that's the way the world of football is, and I have to move on and support my new coach, Arbeloa.

"That's the life of a footballer at the top level. It's a decision made by the club, we have to respect it and defend the Real Madrid badge always."

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