Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Mourinho Defends Mbappe as Paris and Switzerland Trips Draw Criticism
Kylian Mbappe was criticized after being seen at an event in Paris and taking a trip to Switzerland while recovering from an injury.
Jose Mourinho said the criticism was unfair.
He explained that Mbappe went to Real Madrid for a check-up and followed a recovery plan.
Mbappe also spoke with an outside medical specialist, who agreed with the club’s diagnosis.
Mourinho said the Paris event was private and the bicycles in Switzerland were just for getting around.
He said the trips were peaceful.
Mourinho also confirmed Mbappe would start against Villarreal.
He asked the crowd at the Bernabeu to be fair to the player.
Jose Mourinho called the criticism of Kylian Mbappe’s Paris visit and Switzerland trip “ridiculous.”
Mourinho said Mbappe reported to Real Madrid, received an injury diagnosis and followed a rehabilitation plan.
He said Mbappe consulted an outside specialist because of the history of his knee, and that the specialist agreed with the club’s diagnosis.
Mourinho described the Paris event as private and said the bicycles in Switzerland were for getting around a hotel complex.
Mourinho confirmed Mbappe would start Real Madrid’s La Liga match against Villarreal and urged the Bernabeu crowd to judge fairly.
- Who
- Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho.
- What
- Mourinho defended Mbappe over criticism of his trips during injury recovery and confirmed he would start against Villarreal.
- When
- Mourinho spoke at a Friday press conference ahead of the match.
- Where
- At the Bernabeu in Madrid; the criticism concerned a Paris event and a trip to Switzerland.
- Why
- Mbappe faced criticism after being seen at a Paris venue and later in Switzerland while recovering from an injury.
Mourinho’s defence
Criticism of Mbappe
Trips during injury recovery
Mourinho’s defence
Mourinho said Mbappe followed the club’s medical plan and described both trips as peaceful, ordinary activities.
Criticism of Mbappe
Criticism followed reports and images of Mbappe at a Paris venue and in Switzerland while recovering; Mourinho also noted that he had told players to avoid bicycles during recovery.
Public reaction
Mourinho’s defence
Mourinho said the scrutiny was “ridiculous” and urged the Bernabeu crowd to judge Mbappe fairly.
Criticism of Mbappe
The article reports that the coverage could turn the crowd against Mbappe, but does not provide a direct response from his critics.
- Injury date
- Mbappe was injured on 25 September in his first game back with France.
- Medical care
- He was assessed at Real Madrid and followed a rehabilitation plan.
- Outside consultation
- Mourinho said an outside specialist agreed with the club’s diagnosis.
- Paris visit
- Mourinho described the venue as a club transformed for a private event.
- Switzerland trip
- Mourinho said bicycles were available for getting around the hotel complex.
- Upcoming match
- Mourinho said Mbappe would start Real Madrid’s La Liga match against Villarreal at the Bernabeu.