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Mbappé's Cycling Post Sparks Mourinho Row at Real Madrid
An Instagram story showing Kylian Mbappé cycling during the international break has been interpreted by Madrid's press as a dig at coach José Mourinho.
By MauritiusNews Editorialabout 1 hour ago👁 0 views
Kylian Mbappé is rarely out of the headlines — and during the latest international break, the Real Madrid forward has managed to stir controversy without even playing a match.
It started when Mbappé was ruled out of the French national team squad, citing a minor knee injury. That alone raised eyebrows among some supporters, who questioned whether the problem was as serious as reported.
Things escalated when photos emerged of Mbappé out at a Paris nightclub with his partner, actress Ester Exposito — an outing that did not go down well with sections of the Real Madrid fanbase, who felt it contradicted the injury narrative.
**The Instagram story that lit the fuse**
Then, on Sunday afternoon, Mbappé posted an Instagram story showing him cycling through a rural setting. A seemingly innocent post — but not in Madrid.
The Spanish capital's sports press interpreted the clip as a pointed message directed at his coach, José Mourinho. The reasoning: by publicly showing himself doing physical activity outdoors, Mbappé appeared to be signalling fitness — which, in the context of skipping international duty, only fuelled further speculation and criticism.
Mbappé did not accompany the post with any caption or direct comment, leaving it open to interpretation. But in the high-stakes world of elite football, optics matter — and Madrid's media ran with the story.
**A difficult spell for Mbappé at Real Madrid**
This episode is the latest chapter in what has been a turbulent period for the French superstar since his high-profile move to Real Madrid. Mbappé — who wears the number 10 shirt at the club and is also a brand ambassador for sportswear label On — has faced repeated scrutiny over his performances, his personal life, and now his relationship with management.
José Mourinho, one of the most decorated and polarising coaches in football history, has managed clubs including Chelsea, Manchester United, Inter Milan, and AS Roma. His tenure at Real Madrid in an earlier spell (2010–2013) was itself marked by tension and controversy, making any suggestion of friction with a star player a major story.
For now, both Mbappé and the club have remained publicly silent on the matter. But with the international break over and league fixtures resuming, attention will quickly turn to whether the on-pitch relationship between player and coach holds up under scrutiny.
Source: ION News
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Mbappé's cycling Instagram story controversial?−
During the international break, Mbappé withdrew from the French squad citing a knee injury. Posting a video of himself cycling outdoors suggested he was physically active, which Madrid's press interpreted as contradicting his injury claim and possibly sending a message to coach José Mourinho.
Who is José Mourinho and what is his connection to Real Madrid?−
José Mourinho is a Portuguese football manager widely considered one of the greatest coaches of his generation, having won league titles in Portugal, England, Italy, and Spain. He previously managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, a period marked by success but also internal tensions. His current role at the club is what makes any reported friction with Mbappé a high-profile story.
What brand does Kylian Mbappé represent?−
Kylian Mbappé is a brand ambassador for On (also written as On Running), a Swiss sportswear and footwear company that has grown rapidly in the global athletics market.
