Overview
- On Friday José Mourinho publicly defended Kylian Mbappé, confirmed the striker completed Real Madrid medical checks and said Mbappé will play in the next match.
- Mourinho said an external specialist matched the club diagnosis and outlined a recovery plan for Mbappé’s knee, making clear the club sees no reason to suspend or bench him.
- The coach sharply criticized press coverage as “ridiculous” and asked fans to be fair to players, specifically urging patience and support for Vinícius Júnior.
- French outlets including L’Equipe and commentators such as Daniel Riolo have reported that Mbappé could leave Madrid in 2027, but those reports are unconfirmed and treated as speculation.
- Reports from ESPN and other outlets say Mourinho privately reprimanded Mbappé after he returned to training following a France injury, and any transfer would be complex because Mbappé remains under contract beyond 2026.