Mourinho Backs Mbappe as Real Madrid Star Returns Against Villarreal
Kylian Mbappé will start for Real Madrid against Villarreal on Saturday after José Mourinho rejected criticism of the France forward’s conduct during his injury recovery.
Mbappé was injured in his first appearance for France during the international break on 25 September. Images of the striker arriving at a Paris nightclub, followed by social-media footage from a Swiss break in which he used a bicycle, prompted questions over his rehabilitation.
The scrutiny revived memories of a separate episode near the end of last season, when Mbappé was photographed on a yacht while recovering from another injury during Madrid’s title challenge. Mourinho, however, said there had been no breach of the standards required by the club.
Mourinho backs Mbappé’s recovery work
Speaking before the Villarreal fixture, Mourinho described the discussion around Mbappé as “ridiculous” and expressed frustration that attention had shifted away from football matters ahead of a difficult league match.
The Madrid coach referred to major issues elsewhere in the game, including Manchester City’s case, the Negreira matter and the situation involving Cristiano Ronaldo and his coach in Portugal. He argued that Real Madrid’s profile had made Mbappé an easy target for another controversy.
Mourinho said the club’s injured players had handled their situations properly, reporting to Valdebebas for medical assessments and individual rehabilitation programmes.
Mbappé underwent Madrid’s diagnosis before also consulting an external specialist because of his previous knee issues. Mourinho said the advice from that consultant matched the club’s medical view and that there was complete agreement over the player’s recovery plan.
“There is no need for everybody to know every detail of his treatment,” Mourinho said, adding that the reaction had become an attempt to create a problem where none existed.
Paris and Switzerland explained
Mourinho also addressed the locations at the centre of the debate. He said the Paris venue was a club converted for a private function rather than a conventional night out.
In Switzerland, Mbappé stayed at a hotel complex made up of small houses, where bicycles were provided to travel between accommodation, restaurants and the spa. Mourinho described the setting as quiet and controlled.
The manager suggested that the coverage was intended to turn the Bernabéu crowd against Mbappé and encourage whistles from supporters. He called on fans to judge the situation intelligently rather than react to the headlines.
Mourinho said his selection policy would leave no room for players who failed to meet Real Madrid’s expectations. Any player who had not respected the club would not even be named among the substitutes, he said.
“Mbappé will play tomorrow,” Mourinho said. “If he is playing, it is because I am certain that he has not let Real Madrid down and has met his responsibilities.”
Villarreal begins decisive October
Mbappé has continued to score regularly during his two seasons in Spain and remains in contention for the Ballon d’Or after his World Cup performances with France. Even so, he is still waiting for his first major trophy as a Real Madrid player.
Madrid enter the Villarreal match six points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona. Victory at the Bernabéu would keep Mourinho’s side in touch at the top as a demanding October programme begins.
The month concludes with an El Clásico against Barcelona at Camp Nou on 25 October, making Saturday’s home meeting with Villarreal an important early test in Madrid’s pursuit of the leaders.
