Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid superstar
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe was unfortunate to suffer an injury in his first match for France during the international break.
He subsequently returned to the club, where tests revealed that he had suffered a minor injury and should be back soon.
Mbappe was then pictured in France during some personal time instead of working on his recovery in Madrid, and this has caused a lot of controversy.
However, Real Madrid have dismissed suggestions of an internal problem involving Mbappe, with the club maintaining there is no unhappiness with the France forward.
Madrid dismiss Mbappe controversy
According to El Larguero journalist Anton Meana, Madrid do not understand the controversy that has developed around Mbappe because he had permission from the club.
“There is no unhappiness at the club or in the dressing room with Mbappe,” Meana reported when explaining Real Madrid’s version of events.
Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler, Real Madrid players
Kylian Mbappe has dominated headlines of late. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The journalist also made clear that Madrid were aware of the situation surrounding the Frenchman.
“Mbappe had permission and they do not understand the controversy that has been generated,” he added.
Questions have been raised in the Spanish media about his priorities and relationship with Madrid, with Josep Pedrerol also claiming that the forward was losing the affection of Madridismo.
No dressing-room issue
If Mbappe had permission and neither the club nor his team-mates have a problem with his actions, then suggestions of an internal conflict have no basis.
The Frenchman has enjoyed a productive start to the new campaign and is rather unfortunate to have suffered an injury.
The club surely would have given him a tailored recovery plan and permission to travel to France before having to return for training.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid
There is no dressing room issue involving Kylian Mbappe. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)
When a player of Mbappe’s stature is moving around, every small action tends to get blown out of proportion in the media.
However, there is a significant difference between media-driven criticism and an actual dressing-room problem.
Time to move beyond the noise
It is time for Madrid to put the focus back where it belongs: on football.
Mbappe is too important to Madrid’s season for every episode surrounding him to develop into a debate about his commitment.
The scrutiny surrounding Mbappe may not disappear. His profile makes that impossible. However, his importance also cannot be overstated.
It remains to be seen how Mourinho handles Mbappe’s recovery and when he returns to action for Real Madrid.
Ever since arriving in Spain to sign for Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappe has enjoyed a love-hate relationship with the Spanish media.
The Frenchman’s arrival was expected to be the signing that propelled a Champions League-winning side to an unstoppable level.
Instead, since Mbappe arrived, Madrid are yet to win a single piece of silverware. He is now facing another wave of criticism in Spain.
Pedrerol questions Mbappe
Speaking on El Chiringuito, Pedrerol questioned Mbappe’s current situation at the Bernabeu and suggested that the connection between the player and Madridistas is beginning to weaken.
“Mbappe is losing the affection of Madridismo,” Pedrerol said.
He then questioned how the situation had reached this point given the significance Mbappe attached to finally becoming a Madrid player.
“Hadn’t he fulfilled a dream by joining Real Madrid?” he asked.
💔 "Mbappé está perdiendo el cariño del madridismo". 🤦♂️ "¿No había alcanzado un sueño llegando al Real Madrid?". La reflexión de @jpedrerol sobre el francés… con un mensaje brutal a Mourinho. https://t.co/eXuKSuUPhc
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) October 5, 2026
Mbappe’s long-awaited arrival was supposed to represent the completion of a personal ambition as much as a major sporting move for Madrid.
He had secured the move to the Spanish capital after a couple of summers when the move looked possible but did not get over the line.
Madrid supporters demand more than goals
There is an important distinction here. Pedrerol’s comments represent his assessment of the mood surrounding Mbappe.
It is not an actual suggestion that Madrid supporters as a whole have turned against the forward.
At Real Madrid, producing extraordinary numbers does not automatically guarantee an emotional connection with the Bernabeu.
Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid superstar
Is Kylian Mbappe fully loved by the Santiago Bernabeu? (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images)
Supporters also respond to sacrifice, availability and the sense of putting the club above everything and everyone else, and this is true even for a player of Mbappe’s status.
Mourinho has a role to play
Pedrerol also had a strong message for manager Jose Mourinho, who is another important part of this situation.
Managing Mbappe cannot simply be about extracting goals. Mourinho must ensure that one of his most important players feels completely connected to the project.
Mbappe has more than enough quality to silence this chatter in a couple of games. However, he needs to rethink his relationship with the Bernabeu.
Ultimately, it all hinges on how much success and silverware Mbappe is able to bring to the Spanish capital, and it remains to be seen how things play out.