Mourinho dismisses Mbappe bust-up claims and vows star will start next Real Madrid match

Jose Mourinho has publicly defended Kylian Mbappe and dismissed reports of a rift between the two at Real Madrid, insisting the French forward will feature in the club’s next match and has done nothing to breach his obligations as a player.

The controversy stems from Mbappe’s activities during the recent international break, during which he was reported to have visited a Parisian nightclub and posted a photograph of himself riding a bicycle — the latter said to be against his manager’s wishes. Both incidents drew widespread media scrutiny, with speculation mounting that the relationship between Mourinho and his star striker had soured.

Speaking at a press conference, Mourinho moved quickly to reframe both episodes. He clarified that the so-called nightclub was in fact a private venue used during Paris Fashion Week, and that the bicycle photograph was taken at a Swiss hotel where guests used bikes simply to navigate the grounds. “It was made to look as though he was riding in the Tour de Suisse,” Mourinho said.

“There’s a hunt for problems,” the Real Madrid manager added. “As if the real problems football has faced in recent weeks weren’t enough.”

Mourinho also confirmed that Mbappe had returned from the break carrying a knee issue and had undergone an outpatient consultation. Despite that, he gave a clear indication that the 25-year-old would be available for selection.

“I promise the Bernabeu that when a player doesn’t behave like a Real Madrid player 24 hours a day and doesn’t fulfil his obligations, you won’t see that player on the pitch or on the bench,” Mourinho said. “Mbappe will play tomorrow, and that’s because I’m sure he hasn’t let Real Madrid down.”

The manager’s intervention comes at a difficult moment for the club on the pitch. Real Madrid sit fourth in La Liga after seven games, having already lost to Real Betis and city rivals Atletico Madrid, both of whom sit above them in the standings. Barcelona lead the table with seven wins from seven, having also scored five goals in their opening Champions League group stage match against PSV.

Reports have linked Mbappe, valued at €200 million by Transfermarkt, with interest from Liverpool, though no formal approach has been reported.