Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has strongly defended star striker Kylian Mbappe, dismissing mounting criticism against the French captain as completely ridiculous.
Mbappe has faced heavy backlash for spending part of his recovery from a left knee injury in France and Switzerland rather than Madrid. The injury was sustained during a Nations League match against Turkey.
The 27-year-old drew further scrutiny after being photographed entering a Parisian venue and riding a bicycle during his stay in Switzerland. Certain supporters argued these actions amounted to a deliberate snub against Mourinho, who had warned players against skiing and cycling to prevent injuries. According to some fans claimed it was a deliberate snubbing of Mourinho, who had only days before, Players should avoid skiing or riding bicycles so as to avoid risking injury. “Are these criticisms over the top. Mourinho, whose side already lag six points behind bitter rivals Barcelona in the title race, is never one to shy away from a confrontation and tackled each of the criticisms against Mbappe.
Addressing reporters ahead of a La Liga fixture against Villarreal, Mourinho rejected the outcry entirely. He confirmed that all players required for daily rehabilitation were present, noting that Mbappe came to undergo mandatory diagnostic scans.
The Portuguese coach explained that Mbappe subsequently consulted a specialist in France due to a pre-existing knee condition that the club cannot ignore.
Mourinho also addressed non-football controversies surrounding the player, noting that the venue in question was hosting a private Fashion Week event rather than operating as a typical nightclub. Regarding the bicycle incident in Switzerland, he clarified that the bike was simply a hotel amenity used to travel between cottages, rather than competitive cycling.
The 63-year-old manager expressed certainty that the forward has fully met all professional obligations to Real Madrid and dismissed concerns about potential hostile reactions from supporters. “Problems involving football are not sufficient for you,” the 63-year-old Portuguese coach told reporters.
This marks the second instance this season that Mbappe has drawn friction from specific supporter factions. Last month, the banned Ultras Sur group expressed anger after the player and teammates Vinicius Junior and Ibrahima Konate displayed t-shirts supporting people in the Spanish territory bordering Morocco. They were furious that prior to a Real match, Mbappe, alongside Vinicius Junior and fellow Frenchman Ibrahima Konate, partially rolled up t-shirts bearing the words “We are all Ceutans”, which was intended to be a messag.
