Mbappe’s Real Madrid future questioned after latest controversy

Kylian Mbappe’s future at Real Madrid has been called into question after a series of incidents following his injury while playing for France against Turkey.

The France captain left the national team’s training camp and returned to Madrid for treatment, but his actions since suffering the injury have generated significant debate. Daniel Riolo, a journalist with RMC Sport, has now suggested that the forward could leave the Spanish club at the end of the season.

“We cannot rule out his departure at the end of the season,” Riolo said.

His comments followed criticism reportedly voiced by people close to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. They have questioned Mbappe’s trip to Paris and Switzerland, as well as photographs showing him riding a bicycle.

That criticism has gained further attention because of recent comments from Mourinho, who said players had been prohibited from cycling because of the risk of injury.

“The bicycle incident is only the tip of the iceberg,” Riolo said. “I have started asking myself: does Mbappe still have the desire? What does he want? It seems that he wakes up every morning thinking: ‘I am going to make a huge mistake.’”

He added: “He cannot continue making mistakes like this. I am surprised by Mbappe’s absence from France matches to support his team-mates.”

Riolo said Mbappe was not necessarily expected to attend every away fixture, but questioned his decision not to be present at a France match at Stade de France.

“On Monday at Stade de France, all the great stars were there and the whole French football family had gathered,” he said. “I am not saying it is compulsory, but he had the right to do something other than send the message: ‘I do not care what you think.’”

The journalist then issued a direct rebuke to the player.

“Everything has a limit. He has to send a positive message,” Riolo said. “Going to Stade de France and saying, ‘No, I don’t want to’; staying in Madrid and saying, ‘No, I don’t want to’; appearing outside a nightclub and saying, ‘No, I don’t want to’; going on a bicycle ride when Mourinho does not want him to and saying, ‘No, I don’t want to’.

“Enough! You have gone too far, enough!”

Riolo also questioned Mbappe’s state of mind, saying he had the impression the player was “not psychologically well”.

“When you leave him at the World Cup, everything is fine,” he said. “He is with his friends, has a good time and projects a wonderful image. Then his obsession with the Ballon d’Or pushes him to make that statement.”

Riolo said it was unfortunate that Mbappe had criticised one of his friends, Ousmane Dembele, adding: “There was an explanation, but in reality there is no explanation. Enough! You are only giving your critics more ammunition.”

He said he could not understand why nobody close to Mbappe appeared to be telling him this, which led him to believe “he is not well”.

“His personal life has changed,” Riolo added. “He has the right to love, but does he want more than that? Football is exhausting him, along with everything happening around him and the expectations weighing on him, especially now that he has radically changed his sponsor.”

Mbappe’s contract with Real Madrid runs until the summer of 2029. The club’s La Liga listing includes a match against Villarreal on 10 October 2026.