Kylian Mbappe’s resilience praised as Daniel Riolo questions pressure on Real Madrid forward

French journalist Daniel Riolo has strongly defended Kylian Mbappe, describing the Real Madrid forward as exceptionally mentally resilient after a difficult week involving controversy in China and the reaction to his failure to win the Ballon d’Or.

Mbappe faced widespread criticism in China after posting a satirical image containing a joke about Chinese leader Mao Zedong. The incident was followed by further scrutiny after the Ballon d’Or ceremony, where he did not receive the award.

Speaking on the French radio station RMC’s After Foot programme, Riolo said Mbappe’s response demonstrated unusual strength of character.

“We must certainly highlight the completely absurd story that emerged immediately after the Ballon d’Or ceremony,” Riolo said. “Mbappe has shown mental resilience that is far beyond normal. Getting through something like that was not easy at all. It had political and diplomatic implications, and an enormous burden was placed on his shoulders.

“Then, just a few days later, he produces a performance like the one he gave yesterday, even if it was against a modest team. That confirms we are dealing with a genuinely strong personality.”

Riolo was referring to Mbappe’s return to form after the pressure surrounding him, including his goal against Racing Santander.

However, the journalist argued that the scrutiny would continue unless what he described as the real problem was addressed: an alleged plan or conspiracy aimed at bringing down the Real Madrid player.

“We already knew that, but a story like this… he has never faced anything similar before,” Riolo said. “What happened in Sweden was serious. He was accused of rape, before the public prosecutor’s office concluded, following a two-month investigation, that no criminal act had taken place.

“But do you understand what is happening? People often say that everything surrounding Mbappe is irrational, but this story is approaching the limits of extremity. It is crazy.”

Riolo also questioned the scale of the reaction to the player, particularly in China.

“To have all these accusations levelled at Mbappe on the basis of a video from months earlier, followed by such an aggressive response from China, which simply decided not to broadcast the matches, is completely irrational,” he said.

“What happened in Sweden was irrational too, and to this day we know absolutely nothing about that case. What I mean is that it led to no outcome. Have you seen what came of it? Are there still people who believe there is no conspiracy aimed at bringing him down?”

Riolo then challenged the idea that the pattern of events could be dismissed as speculation.

“Do you really believe that talking about a conspiracy is merely a theory?” he asked. “The video that appeared three months later, and what happened in Sweden… there are a lot of coincidences, genuinely.”