October 6
All Eyes on Mourinho’s Stance
A press report stated on Thursday that Real Madrid’s French player, Kylian Mbappé, faces a very difficult task this coming Saturday.
Mbappé had sustained an injury while playing for the French national team against Turkey in the UEFA Nations League and returned to Madrid for treatment; however, he sparked significant controversy by traveling back to France and through messages he posted on social media.
Mbappé Seeks to Win Over the Fans
Spanish newspapers report that, following inconsistent performances in recent weeks, Kylian Mbappé is aiming to win back the favor of Real Madrid fans.
He is doing so in the only way available to him—an approach he had recently neglected: training with the club and prioritizing physical fitness above all else.
In fact, he trained with the team yesterday, Wednesday—just like any other player—following a quick trip to Paris on Tuesday afternoon to attend a charity event, after which he returned to the capital in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
During the training session, Mbappé appeared smiling and in good physical condition ahead of the match against Villarreal next Saturday, marking the return of La Liga following the break.
Mourinho will make the final decision on whether or not to start him just before the match; while all signs point to his inclusion, the manager's stance remains unclear amidst the surrounding hype.
Mourinho—who is expected to command greater authority and presence than any star in the dressing room—has not yet addressed recent events, particularly the bicycle incident that sparked significant controversy. However, the situation could shift once he speaks on the matter in the lead-up to the Villarreal match.
The Bernabéu crowd looks to settle scores with the team
After everything that transpired during the break—and even prior to it (such as the incident involving the Ceuta fans' shirts during the Elche match)—Real Madrid supporters are expected, barring any surprises, to display clear hostility toward the French player and the rest of the squad following the defeat in the Madrid derby.
It may seem like a long time ago, but Real Madrid fans do not forget such matters; they know there are still scores to settle with the players—particularly Mbappé.
