Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has come to the defense of Kylian Mbappe regarding his activities during the international break, describing the intense scrutiny directed at the forward as ridiculous.
Mbappe, the France captain, had withdrawn from international duty after sustaining an injury against Turkey on September 25. He subsequently drew public attention when he shared images on social media from a Paris Fashion Week event and of himself riding a bicycle, an activity Mourinho noted would have previously gone against his own managerial rules.
Addressing the controversy, Mourinho emphasized that Real Madrid is constantly subjected to a different level of scrutiny compared to other clubs. He maintained that all players adhered strictly to their required duties during the break, arguing that external observers simply seek out additional problems and issues.
Mourinho assured supporters that any player who genuinely fails to behave according to club standards and temporarily ceases to act like a Real Madrid player would face immediate consequences, remaining at home rather than appearing on the team bench.
The manager also clarified that an image showing Mbappe riding a bicycle in Switzerland had been misrepresented, explaining that the bikes were standard amenities provided by his hotel complex for guests to use on brief journeys.
When asked directly if the media coverage of the player was exaggerated, Mourinho insisted it went beyond exaggeration and was entirely ridiculous. He added that if Mbappe took to the pitch the following day, it would serve as proof that the forward had fulfilled all his obligations to the club without failure.
Real Madrid currently sits six points behind league leaders Barcelona after seven matches in the La Liga standings. The 27-year-old Mbappe remains among the leading contenders for this year's Ballon d'Or, coming off a campaign where he scored 42 goals in 44 matches for his club despite the team finishing without a trophy. He also secured the World Cup Golden Boot with 10 goals, bringing his career total at World Cups to a record 22 while helping France to a fourth-place finish.