Mourinho calls scrutiny of Mbappe’s private life ‘ridiculous’

Jose Mourinho has strongly defended Kylian Mbappe amid growing coverage of the Real Madrid forward’s private life, describing the attention as “ridiculous” and accusing the media of searching for controversy.

Speaking at a news conference on Friday before Saturday’s La Liga meeting with Villarreal, Mourinho was asked whether the focus on Mbappe had gone too far and whether he expected a reaction from supporters at Santiago Bernabeu.

“If there is an angry reaction from the Real Madrid fans against Mbappe, it will be a major victory for you,” Mourinho said, according to Spanish newspaper AS.

“Big issues, such as the Manchester City case, the old story you like to talk about, or the difficult situation in my country involving Cristiano Ronaldo and his coach, were not enough to feed your work.

“Real Madrid is Real Madrid. There must always be something to talk about.”

Asked directly whether the coverage of Mbappe had been excessive, Mourinho replied: “Excessive? It is ridiculous.”

He said players remained responsible for their conduct away from football, while also insisting they should be allowed to make mistakes.

“For me, a player is a player 24 hours a day,” Mourinho said. “Anything important or negative that he does in his private life will always have consequences. I believe a player remains a human being and has the right to make mistakes, but he must show a sense of responsibility.”

Mourinho also said the Real Madrid squad had followed the club’s arrangements during the recent international period, whether players were joining their national teams or taking time off. Injured players returned quickly to the training centre at Valdebebas for examinations and recovery programmes.

“Everything was clearly planned and everyone followed it,” he said. “The injured players came to Valdebebas immediately, underwent tests and were given recovery plans.”

Arda Guler, who was suspended for a fourth international match, was given two extra days off, while players with significant injuries, including Fede Valverde and Ibrahima Konate, continued to attend the club each day.

Mourinho added that Mbappe had undergone medical examinations at the club and had also consulted an external medical team because of his history of knee problems. He said the results were consistent with the recovery plan in place.

“Mbappe will play, and he will not even be on the bench,” Mourinho said. “I am certain he has not failed in his commitments to Real Madrid.”

He suggested any player who failed to meet the club’s standards would not be selected at all. “You will not have the chance to boo him because he will be at home,” he said.

Mourinho dismissed reports that Mbappe had been seen in a nightclub, saying the venue was hosting a private event during Paris Fashion Week. He also mocked reports of Mbappe riding a bicycle in Switzerland, explaining that the bikes were used to travel between facilities at a hotel made up of small units, rather than for a race around Switzerland.

He similarly referred to reports about Dean Huijsen, saying an incident in which the player was stopped outside Betarsh’s home while sending a message had been portrayed as though he had been driving at 200 kilometres per hour on a motorway while using his phone.

Mourinho said Real Madrid had reached the middle of October without any new injuries from the current season for the first time in 10 years. “That is a good story, but you do not like it,” he added sarcastically.