Real Madrid Coach Jose Mourinho Defends Kylian Mbappe Against 'Ridiculous' Criticism

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has strongly defended star striker Kylian Mbappe, dismissing recent public attacks and criticism as completely "ridiculous."

The French captain faced backlash after spending time recovering from a left knee injury in France and Switzerland instead of Madrid. The player suffered a hyperextension of the joint during a Nations League match against Turkiye on September 25. During his recovery, the 27-year-old was spotted at the entrance of a Parisian nightclub and photographed riding a bicycle in Switzerland, leading some fans to accuse him of deliberately ignoring Mourinho's prior warnings against activities like skiing or cycling.

Speaking at a news conference on Friday ahead of Real Madrid's La Liga home match against Villarreal, Mourinho defended his player. "Are these criticisms over the top? They are ridiculous," he stated, explaining that all players required for daily recovery were present, and that Mbappe had traveled to undergo necessary scans and consult a specialist in France due to his history with knee issues.

Addressing the specific controversies, Mourinho dismissed the nightclub claims, noting the venue was actually hosting a private event for Fashion Week. Regarding the bicycle in Switzerland, he clarified it was simply a transportation method provided by the hotel for guests to reach communal areas.

Mbappe returned to training on Wednesday and could potentially return to the pitch as soon as Saturday. Mourinho expressed confidence that the forward has fully met his obligations to Real Madrid, despite previous fan backlashes involving the Ultras Sur supporters group and earlier online campaigns.