Mbappé at Paris nightclub: Real Madrid defends striker against criticism

Kylian Mbappé found himself at the center of controversy after being spotted Wednesday evening at “Boum Boum”, a Parisian nightclub, in the company of his partner Ester Exposito — while he is convalescing following his withdrawal due to injury during France’s team gathering.

The France captain had left the French squad after suffering a hyperextension of the posterior capsule of his left knee during the match against Turkey. He made a brief stop in Madrid to undergo medical examinations before heading to Paris. His presence in a nightclub, rather than at Valdebebas training center, quickly inflamed part of the Madrid fanbase.

Faced with a wave of criticism, Real Madrid chose to speak out. The club’s doctors told newspaper AS that the striker’s injury “only requires active rest” and that there would be “no advantage to him being at Valdebebas”. The club also indicated that the nature of the injury prevents Mbappé from training, even indoors, and from benefiting from physiotherapy care.

The Merengue club went further by denouncing “an inappropriate smear campaign” targeting its number 10. According to L’Équipe, Mbappé’s recovery program was validated by José Mourinho and the medical staff, who jointly defined a recovery plan with the player.

According to Real Madrid, Mbappé is displaying growing indifference to criticism, an assumed stance which, according to the club, explains his lack of discretion — and which is precisely what his detractors hold against him.