Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid superstar
Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images
Kylian Mbappe is facing growing scrutiny at Real Madrid, with questions now being raised over his relationship with the club and his long-term future at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The French forward remains one of the most productive players in the squad, scoring eight goals in eight appearances across all competitions during the 2026/27 season.
Yet his recent knee injury and activities away from Madrid have created an unexpected wave of criticism.
Mbappe was given permission by Real Madrid to recover away from the club after suffering a hyperextension of the left knee joint capsule while on international duty.
However, his trips to Paris and Switzerland, including images of him riding a bicycle, have attracted criticism amid Mourinho’s recent stance on what players should be doing while recovering.
Mbappe’s Real Madrid future questioned
The latest comments have come from RMC Sport journalist Daniel Riolo (h/t Mundo Deportivo), who believes the bicycle incident is part of a much bigger concern surrounding the Frenchman.
Assessing the situation, Riolo questioned whether Mbappe remains fully motivated and suggested that the forward’s behaviour is creating unnecessary tension around him.
“The bicycle incident is just the tip of the iceberg. I’m starting to wonder: Does Mbappe still have the desire? What does he want?
Mbappe has been in the new of late. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)
“It seems like he wakes up every morning thinking, ‘I’m going to screw up.’ He can’t keep making mistakes like this,” said Riolo.
Riolo also criticised the message Mbappe’s actions could send to supporters and those around him.
“I’m not saying he has to go to every away game, but on Monday at the Stade de France, all the big names were there.
“The French football family gathered together. I’m not saying it’s mandatory, but he has the right to do something, instead of sending this ‘I don’t give a damn what you think’ message. But there’s a limit.
“Send a positive message. Come to the Stade de France: ‘No, I don’t want to.’ Stay in Madrid: ‘No, I don’t want to.’ Don’t show up outside a nightclub: ‘No, I don’t want to.’
**“Go for a bike ride when Mourinho doesn’t want you to: ‘No, I don’t want to.’ Enough! You’re going too far, enough!**” Riolo added.
Shock Kylian Mbappe exit claim emerges
The criticism has now gone beyond his recent behaviour, with Riolo openly questioning Mbappe’s mental state and the influence of those around him.
“I get the impression that he’s not mentally well.” When you leave him at the World Cup, everything is fine. He’s with his friends, having a great time, projecting a fantastic image.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid
Mbappe’s actions have been called into question. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)
“Then, his obsession with the Ballon d’Or leads him to make this statement… You offend one of your friends (Ousmane Dembele), it’s a shame, but you do it.
“There was an explanation, but in reality, there isn’t one. Enough! You’re just giving your detractors more ammunition,” the journalist continued.
Riolo believes the changes surrounding Mbappe’s personal life, commercial commitments and football career may all be contributing to the situation.
He doesn’t understand why “no one in his circle is telling him this; it leads me to conclude that he’s not well,” he said.
“His personal life has changed. He has the right to be in love, but does he want something more? Football is exhausting him.
Everything that’s happening around him, the expectations, are wearing him down, especially now that he’s making such a drastic change of sponsor.
“I don’t understand how he’s handling it or who these people are who are really thinking about everything around him. I don’t understand what he’s trying to do, this attitude, this distancing from everyone,” he noted.
Riolo ultimately delivered the biggest claim of all, concluding, “Let’s not rule out a departure at the end of the season.”
Jose Mourinho, Manager of Real Madrid
Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images
Real Madrid’s summer transfer window was focused primarily on the defence and Jose Mourinho spent big to bring in the profiles he deemed right for his dynamics.
They roped in Denzel Dumfries at right-back, Marc Cucurella at left-back and Ibrahima Konate at centre-back, thereby bringing in three new starting quality names to the team’s dressing room.
Needless to say, it became instantly clear that the defence was what Mourinho saw as Real Madrid’s biggest weakness, and that it was his priority to improve the defensive record.
Concern with the defence
As reported by Defensa Central now, Mourinho acknowledges that the defence continues to be one of the team’s biggest weaknesses after the first phase of the season. In fact, he considers the fragility at the back to be the primary factor keeping the team away from trophies.
Marc Cucurella, Real Madrid player
Real Madrid’s new signings have not had the intended impact yet. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The manager is very unhappy that Los Blancos have conceded in seven of their last eight games and sees it as impossible to challenge for either La Liga or the UEFA Champions League with such a poor record.
In that sense, Mourinho has been working closely with his staff to find ways to cover the team’s gaping holes and hopes for an improvement after the international break.
Mourinho’s plan for improvement
Real Madrid have only managed to keep one clean sheet so far, and that came against Malaga in La Liga. That, combined with the fact that their attacking output has been subpar, makes the side weaker than they have been in recent years.
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
Mourinho has a plan in mind. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
As clarified by the Spanish outlet, Mourinho has a clear plan in mind to improve the team’s defensive numbers and that is for the central defenders to push up.
He wants his side to close the gaps between lines and press relentlessly to pressurise opposition forwards. The idea is that such a change will enable them to win more balls in the opposition half.
Further, it will allow for more lethal counter-attacks and transitional play – something that is crucial in terms of the attacking profiles Real Madrid possess.
It remains to be seen how effectively the coach can put his idea into practice starting this weekend.