Kylian Mbappe faces growing tensions with Real Madrid over injury and leadership

Kylian Mbappe has become the focus of growing unease at Real Madrid after leaving the France camp with a knee injury and later being seen in Paris during his recovery.

Questions have been raised about the forward’s attitude towards the club and the way his injury has been managed. Spanish newspaper SPORT reports that concern increased after Mbappe was pictured riding a bicycle before returning to training at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas base later than planned.

Speaking on Cadena SER’s El Larguero programme, journalist Anton Meana said there was a “medical trust problem” between Mbappe and Real Madrid.

Meana also claimed the France international “would prefer to be somewhere else”, suggesting Mbappe was not fully convinced by the club’s medical services.

The comments have added to a debate over Mbappe’s relationship with Real Madrid at a time when the player’s recovery has attracted close attention. His departure from the France camp, followed by his appearance in Paris, has intensified scrutiny of his conduct during the international break.

However, commentator Manu Carreno said he believed the issue extended beyond medical matters and concerned Mbappe’s leadership within the squad.

Carreno acknowledged that Mbappe had produced impressive numbers, but said the forward had not yet reached the level expected of him in his role as a leader in the Real Madrid dressing room.

There has also been criticism of the perceived distance between Mbappe and the club’s supporters. Speaking on El Chiringuito, Tomas Roncero said he was disappointed by the situation.

“I would have liked to see him at Valdebebas during the holiday, working on his recovery,” Roncero said.

He also described an “emotional detachment” between Mbappe and the Real Madrid fans.

Attention will now turn to Real Madrid’s next fixture against Villarreal at Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday. The match is expected to provide a clearer indication of whether Mbappe will be available to play.

It will also show how the club’s supporters respond to the France forward following the controversy surrounding him during the international break.