- Real Madrid will host Villarreal on Saturday at the Bernabeu while sitting six points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona
- Jose Mourinho confirmed that Kylian Mbappe will start after defending him against criticism over off-pitch activities during injury recovery
- Mourinho also backed Vinicius Junior amid a dip in form and urged patience from supporters and the media
Mourinho rejects scrutiny of Mbappe’s recovery activities
Jose Mourinho has delivered a forceful defence of Kylian Mbappe after the Real Madrid forward came under criticism for his activities away from the pitch while injured during the international break.
The France forward sustained an injury during his first match on international duty on 25 September. While sidelined, he was photographed entering a Paris nightclub and later spent time in Switzerland, where he posted social media footage of himself riding a bicycle – an activity Mourinho had previously warned players against.
🚨🗣️ Mourinho: “Mbappé came here after the injury, he was diagnosed. He went for an outpatient consultation because his knee has a medical history that cannot be overlooked.
The diagnoses were in complete agreement.
There is a recovery plan, the details of which you don’t need to know.
And then, there is the hunt for trouble. As if the real problems football has faced over the past couple of weeks weren’t enough, people are actively looking for issues.
First, the nightclub that wasn’t a nightclub, it was a venue for a private Paris Fashion Week event.
Then, the bicycle incident in Switzerland, at a hotel made up of small cottages.
The bikes were simply for getting around the common areas of a quiet hotel, yet it was made to look as if he were riding in the Tour de Suisse.”
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) October 9, 2026
The reaction came after a similar controversy late last season, when Mbappe was pictured on a yacht while recovering from injury during his team’s title push. Despite the renewed scrutiny, Mourinho confirmed that Mbappe will start Real Madrid’s La Liga match against Villarreal at the Bernabeu.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Mourinho said: “It’s ridiculous. I thought there were enough real ‘cases’ in the football world in the last few weeks, but it seems like they weren’t enough.
“There are giant cases like the [Manchester City] one, like the old story you don’t like to talk about [Negreira], like the difficult situation in my country with Cristiano Ronaldo and his coach.
“But it hasn’t been enough. Real Madrid is Real Madrid. I thought the first question might be about real things, a difficult game… But here we are.”
Medical process and off-pitch details explained
Mourinho insisted that Real Madrid’s injured players had followed the correct professional procedures, including Mbappe, whose knee history led to consultation beyond the club’s own medical staff.
He added: “I don’t lie. The truth is that in this period, Real Madrid’s players have been exemplary in their professional situation. 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 with Real Madrid’s diagnosis and this external consultant. 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.”
Mourinho also clarified the nature of the places Mbappe visited, saying: “[In Paris] it was a club that wasn’t a club. It was a club 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 tranquility.”
Mbappe backed despite wait for a major Real Madrid trophy
Mbappe has scored regularly across his two seasons in Spain and remains a Ballon d’Or contender following his World Cup performances for France. However, he has still not won a major trophy with Real Madrid.
Mourinho suggested that the criticism around the forward is part of an attempt to influence the Bernabeu crowd and encourage supporters to whistle him.
“You don’t have to be Einstein to see that this is the objective,” Mourinho stated. “I hope the Bernabeu can be fair, and that means being intelligent, being able to read between the lines.”
The Real Madrid manager also made clear that he would not select a player who had failed to meet the club’s standards.
“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. So tomorrow Mbappé 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.”
Vinicius receives public support during difficult run
Mourinho also strongly defended Vinicius Junior as the Brazilian winger continues to struggle for his best form. The issue was raised before the Villarreal fixture, with attention around the player intensifying at the Santiago Bernabeu.
After establishing himself as a global superstar, Vinicius has experienced a significant dip in form, prompting debate over his place in the starting eleven. Mourinho discussed the balance between meritocracy and the need to manage players differently depending on their circumstances.
“Meritocracy, yes, but you also have to be open, not depending on the player’s name, but on the moment he is going through. You have to know what is the best way to help a player. When some are not well, there are different strategies to make them progress. One of them is pure meritocracy: if you are not good, you go out. But that carries risks. Some players need time to return to their usual level. You refer to Vinicius, I will not hide,” Mourinho explained.
Emotional strain and possible recovery plan
Mourinho emphasised that Vinicius’ commitment should not be questioned, saying the player is working hard behind the scenes to regain his level and contribute to Real Madrid winning matches. The coach also described the emotional impact of the winger’s current struggles.
“What hurts me, what makes me sad, is to understand how much he wants to be well, to become the one who wins matches and makes the difference. What touches me is to see his suffering, when he is an extraordinary boy, to my great surprise, and who works hard to come back,” Mourinho added.
The manager indicated that a specialised development plan could be considered if Vinicius does not show immediate improvement. He is weighing tactical and man-management options to help the Brazilian return to the level that previously made him a frontrunner for individual accolades.
“Will he play every match until he regains his level or will there come a time when we put in place a specific plan, leaving him on the bench or finding another solution? I do not touch the true Real Madrid fans, I respect them deeply. But it breaks my heart to see that a boy like him, who is not currently this out-of-this-world Vinicius, does not receive the help he deserves because of the influence of many of you,” the coach stated.
Mourinho then appealed for patience and support from the Bernabeu, arguing that outside pressure and media influence are making it harder for Vinicius to rediscover his spark.
“He deserves to be supported. He wants so much to become that Vinicius again who gave so much joy to Madrid fans,” the manager concluded.
Villarreal fixture begins October run
Real Madrid host Villarreal on Saturday at the Bernabeu, with Mourinho’s side trailing La Liga leaders Barcelona by six points. With Mbappe available to start and Vinicius under public protection from his manager, Madrid will aim to take three points and keep pressure on the top of the table.
A demanding October schedule for Los Blancos begins with the Villarreal match, culminating in a crucial El Clasico against Barcelona at Camp Nou on 25 October.
