PARIS – While still recovering from a knee injury that has sidelined him for Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé continues to generate headlines, this time fueled by reports of a blossoming connection with Spanish actress Ester Exposito. The 27-year-old forward, who suffered a sprained left knee on February 21st during a 2-1 defeat against Osasuna, has been taking time to heal, but his recent activities in Paris have sparked considerable interest.
Mbappé is currently unavailable for Real Madrid’s upcoming Champions League ties against Manchester City, despite returning to training this week, as he continues his rehabilitation. His time away from the pitch, however, hasn’t been solely focused on recovery. Reports indicate the French captain has been enjoying time in Paris, and has been seen in the company of Exposito, known for her role in the Netflix series Élite.
Parisian Encounters
According to reports from Spanish outlet Marca, Mbappé and Exposito were spotted together at the 10e Ciel bar, located atop the Pullman hotel with views of the Eiffel Tower, on March 5th. The sighting has ignited speculation in Spain about a potential romantic relationship between the football star and the actress. The pair were also reportedly seen together at Madrid Fashion Week on February 25th, further fueling the rumors.
Spanish media outlets, including Marca and AS, have interpreted Exposito’s recent trip to Paris, documented through numerous posts on her Instagram account, as evidence of a developing relationship with Mbappé, who was also in the city at the time. Further adding to the speculation, Exposito was reportedly seen entering a van with Mbappé after leaving a Paris hotel on Sunday, and later identified alongside him upon their return to Madrid.
A Rising Star in Spain
The rumors have quickly spread across social media, though neither Mbappé nor Exposito have publicly confirmed any relationship. Ester Exposito, 26, is a prominent figure in Spain, having walked the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023 for her role in “Lost In The Night.” However, she is best known for portraying Carla Rosón Caleruega in Élite between 2018 and 2020.
Exposito has develop into a fashion icon in Spain, boasting over 24 million followers on Instagram, making her the most popular personality in the country on the platform. One of her dance performances, posted in April 2020, garnered over 92 million views, breaking records on the social media site.
Mbappé’s recovery from the knee injury sustained against Osasuna remains the primary focus for Real Madrid fans. The injury forced him out of action after a strong start to his second season with the club, where he scored a penalty in a 1-0 win over Osasuna on August 19, 2025. That goal marked a successful beginning under recent coach Xabi Alonso, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti before the Club World Cup.
Alonso has integrated several new signings into the squad, including Álvaro Carreras, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Dean Huijsen. Young forward Franco Mastantuono also made his debut off the bench in that match, despite some initial fan concerns stemming from his praise of Lionel Messi during his introductory press conference.
The situation highlights the intense scrutiny surrounding Mbappé, both on and off the field. His performances are closely watched, and his personal life frequently becomes a subject of public discussion. As he continues his recovery, the focus will inevitably remain on his return to the pitch and his impact on Real Madrid’s season.
Real Madrid will be hoping for a swift and full recovery for their star forward, as they look to compete on multiple fronts, including La Liga and the Champions League. The team’s success will heavily rely on Mbappé’s ability to regain his form and contribute to the attack.
The next confirmed checkpoint for Mbappé is his continued rehabilitation and assessment by the Real Madrid medical team. Updates on his progress will be closely monitored by fans and media alike. Real Madrid faces a crucial stretch of matches in the coming weeks, and the team will necessitate all its key players available to compete at the highest level.
What are your thoughts on Mbappé’s recovery and the recent rumors? Share your opinions in the comments below!
