Jose Mourinho has launched a strong defence of Kylian Mbappe after the Real Madrid forward came under fire for his activities during an injury layoff, insisting the criticism is unfair and suggesting there is an attempt to turn the club’s supporters against him.
Mbappe faced backlash after being pictured cycling while recovering from a knee injury sustained during the international break with France. However, Mourinho has dismissed the controversy, arguing that the Frenchman’s actions have been taken out of context and do not indicate any lack of professionalism.
The Real Madrid manager also confirmed that Mbappe will start against Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu this weekend, making it clear that he has no concerns about the forward’s commitment to the club.
“I don’t lie. The truth is that in this period, Real Madrid’s players have been exemplary professionally,” Mourinho said. “Those who were injured came straight to Valdebebas, got their diagnosis, and got their rehab plan.
“Mbappe was here, he got his diagnosis, he went to an external consultant, because his knee has a history that you can’t forget, and there was total agreement between Real Madrid’s diagnosis and this external consultant.
The Portuguese tactician explained that Mbappe followed the necessary medical procedures and sought an additional opinion because of his previous knee problems. According to Mourinho, the club’s medical assessment and that of the external consultant were in agreement.
He also pushed back against the scrutiny surrounding the forward’s recovery, suggesting that people were searching for controversy where there was none.
“In terms of his recovery, you don’t have to know all the details. But then we get into the area of looking for problems.
“[In Paris] it was a nightclub that wasn’t a nightclub,” Mourinho added. “It was a nightclub that had been transformed for a private event. Then in Switzerland, it was just a hotel, with little houses, and each house had some bikes to get to where the restaurants and spa was. It was absolute tranquillity.
Mourinho’s comments addressed reports about Mbappe’s activities in Paris and Switzerland during his recovery. The manager argued that the locations and circumstances had been misrepresented, fuelling unnecessary speculation about the player’s behaviour away from the pitch.
With the controversy threatening to overshadow preparations for Villarreal’s visit, Mourinho also appeared to suggest that the criticism was part of a deliberate effort to influence the Bernabeu crowd.
“You don’t have to be Einstein to see that this is the objective,” Mourinho said. “I hope the Bernabeu can be fair, and that means being intelligent, being able to read between the lines.
The manager’s remarks put the focus firmly on the relationship between Mbappe and Real Madrid’s supporters, with the forward potentially facing a hostile reception if the criticism spills into the stadium.
However, Mourinho insisted that his team selection would reflect his assessment of the player’s professionalism rather than outside pressure. He made it clear that players who fail to meet the club’s standards would not be given the opportunity to face supporters’ anger from the bench.
“One thing I promise is that when a Real Madrid player doesn’t behave like a Real Madrid player, they won’t see that player on the bench. They won’t have the chance to whistle, because they’ll be at home.
The statement underlined Mourinho’s confidence in Mbappe and his willingness to stand by the forward despite the growing noise surrounding his recovery.
“So tomorrow Mbappe will play. He won’t be on the bench, and if he plays, it’s because I’m sure that he hasn’t failed Real Madrid. He hasn’t failed to fulfil his obligations.”
Mourinho’s backing gives Mbappe a clear vote of confidence ahead of a crucial test against Villarreal. Rather than allowing the off-field debate to dictate his decisions, the manager has challenged supporters to judge the forward on his conduct and performances.
With Mbappe set to feature, attention will now turn to his response on the pitch. A strong display against Villarreal would provide an opportunity to shift the conversation away from the controversy and back towards football.
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