SM Caen, co-owned by Kylian Mbappe, have been relegated to France's third tier for the first time in 40 years.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Mbappe & Real Madrid were knocked out of the UCLThe French star now sees his team dumped from Ligue 2Frenchman also sees red in La LigaFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
In a double blow for Mbappe this week, the Real Madrid forward has seen not only his Champions League dreams crushed by Arsenal but also endured the humiliation of seeing Caen drop out of Ligue 2. A 3-0 home defeat to Martigues on Friday night officially sealed their fate, condemning them to France’s third tier, known as National 1, for the first time since 1984.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
With the worst defensive record in Ligue 2 and only five victories to their name, Caen’s descent was not unexpected but is still a major stain on the club’s proud history. Supporters have made no secret of their anger towards the Mbappe family, who assumed control of Caen through their company, Interconnected Ventures, last September by acquiring an 80% stake. Since then, the club’s trajectory has only nosedived.
DID YOU KNOW?
A chaotic summer transfer window raised early alarm bells. Captain Romain Thomas was among those who voiced concerns about the lack of structure and strategy in the recruitment process. That disorganisation translated onto the pitch, where Caen struggled to find consistency or direction.
As results worsened, Caen’s faithful grew increasingly vocal. Protest banners became a regular sight at home and away fixtures. Slogans such as "Mbappe, SMC is not your toy" and "Before wanting to shine internationally, respect the local figures" reflected growing resentment toward the Mbappe family's perceived detachment and mismanagement.
That discontent was only amplified in January when club president Ziad Hammoud – a figure installed by Mbappe’s team – remarked that the project was meant to begin in earnest in the 2025-26 season. The timing of the statement, made while the club was already in crisis, only deepened frustrations.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MBAPPE?
While Caen face rebuilding from the ground up, Mbappe’s attention must return to the pitch with Real Madrid. The Spanish giants host Athletic Club on Sunday, April 20, in a must-win La Liga clash. Madrid trail Barcelona by four points with seven matches left in the season, although Mbappe is suspended after his horror tackle red card last week.
