It’s a week to forget for Kylian Mbappe, as SM Caen, the French club co-owned by the Real Madrid star, has been relegated to France’s third division (National 1) — a stunning fall from grace that ends a 40-year run in the top two tiers.
The hammer blow came with a 3-0 home defeat to Martigues on Friday night, sealing Caen’s fate in what has been a chaotic and turbulent season both on and off the pitch.
Mbappe’s Ownership Under Fire
The Mbappe family, through Interconnected Ventures, acquired an 80% stake in Caen last September. But what was touted as a promising new era has spiraled into what fans are calling a “disaster project.”
- Five wins all season
- Worst defensive record in Ligue 2
- Internal chaos and fan protests
Frustrations began as early as the summer transfer window. A lack of planning and structure in recruitment set off alarm bells, with captain Romain Thomas publicly voicing concerns. Things only got worse from there.
Fans quickly turned on the Mbappe-led management, unfurling protest banners at matches with messages like:
- “Mbappe, SMC is not your toy”
- “Before wanting to shine internationally, respect the local figures”
Matters escalated when club president Ziad Hammoud, appointed by Mbappe’s team, downplayed the urgency of the crisis by saying the “real project” was meant to start in 2025–26 a comment that was seen as tone-deaf and dismissive by supporters.
Mbappe’s Rough Week Continues
This latest humiliation comes days after Mbappe’s Champions League dream was crushed by Arsenal, and just before Real Madrid’s crucial La Liga clash against Athletic Club. Unfortunately for Madrid, Mbappe will miss the match due to suspension, following a reckless red card last week.
As Real Madrid trail Barcelona by four points with seven games left, Mbappe must now juggle on-pitch redemption with off-pitch scrutiny as the Caen crisis worsens.
What’s Next for SM Caen?
With relegation now confirmed, Caen must rebuild from the ground up in the semi-professional National 1 league. But for many fans, that rebuild will need to start with a rethink of ownership strategy and possibly, accountability from the Mbappe camp.
