José Mourinho Defends Kylian Mbappé and Confirms Him Against Villarreal

Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has defended Kylian Mbappé ahead of the club’s La Liga fixture against Villarreal CF, dismissing recent media criticism surrounding the forward’s international break as “ridiculous.” Speaking at a press conference reported by Infobae and El Correo, Mourinho confirmed that Mbappé will start Saturday’s match at the Santiago Bernabéu and insisted the player has fulfilled all obligations to the club.

Mourinho Defends Mbappé Ahead of Villarreal Clash

The controversy followed Mbappé’s departure from the national team concentration due to a left knee injury. During the international break, the forward was spotted traveling in France and Switzerland, and riding a bicycle, sparking intense media scrutiny. Addressing reporters on Friday ahead of the 21:00 kickoff on October 10, 2026, Mourinho labeled the coverage unwarranted and defended the player’s personal time.

First a discotheque, which was not a discoteca, but a thing for Paris Fashion Week. Afterwards, the bicycle in Switzerland, which was a hotel with a couple of bicycles to go to the central area of restaurants, and it looks like he was riding the Tour of Switzerland, Mourinho said, as reported by Infobae.

The manager added that Mbappé sought an external medical diagnosis on his knee that ultimately matched Real Madrid’s evaluation. Mourinho expressed hope that the home supporters at the Santiago Bernabéu would treat the forward fairly during Saturday’s league match, noting that the player’s commitment to the club remains absolute.

Squad Fitness and Roster Challenges at Mid-October

Beyond the discussion surrounding Mbappé, Mourinho pointed to positive fitness metrics within the squad. According to El Correo and Infobae, the Portuguese coach highlighted that Real Madrid has reached mid-October without a single injured player for the first time in 10 years, with current absences limited to players recovering from last season.

However, squad availability remains constrained for the upcoming fixture against Villarreal. Fede Valverde’s participation is in doubt following a sprain sustained during the recent Madrid derby defeat against Atlético de Madrid. Meanwhile, Éder Militão requires a couple of weeks of recovery, and both Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo remain sidelined.

Discipline and Media Scrutiny Examined

Mourinho also addressed broader disciplinary management within the squad, contrasting the media focus on Real Madrid with other prominent football storylines, such as Manchester City’s financial case and past refereeing investigations. He noted that players such as Arda Güler handled disciplinary sanctions professionally, receiving two designated days off.

Real Madrid enters the weekend fixture looking to rebound domestically following the derby setback, while occupying a key stretch of the autumn calendar under Mourinho’s guidance.