José Mourinho has issued a decisive warning within Real Madrid, affirming that any player who neglects their responsibilities or fails to act in a manner worthy of the club’s shirt will not even receive the opportunity to sit on the bench.
The Portuguese manager’s stance comes ahead of the clash against Villarreal, amid expectations of a hostile reception for Kylian Mbappé at the Santiago Bernabéu following the controversy surrounding his movements during the international break while recovering from knee discomfort.
“I promise you, when a Real Madrid player stops acting like a Real Madrid player, you won’t even get the chance to whistle at him,” Mourinho stated.
He added: “He won’t be on the bench at all—he will stay at home, because I won’t give him the opportunity to be with the team.”
However, the veteran coach firmly separated his general warning from Mbappé’s situation, confirming that the French star will play because he has not breached any commitment toward Real Madrid, and the technical staff has found no reason to question his professionalism.
Mbappé had left the France national team camp following a victory over Turkey due to a knee issue, undergoing tests in Madrid before seeking a second medical opinion. Subsequent movements between Paris and Switzerland, alongside photos of him riding a bicycle, sparked anger among supporters.
Mourinho defended his forward, explaining that the night out in Paris was a private occasion and that the bicycle was simply a mode of transport within a quiet resort. He emphasized that Real Madrid players adhered strictly to their assigned programs during their time off.
Mourinho is attempting to shut down the controversy prior to resuming league action, at a moment when Real Madrid urgently need to regain their balance following a derby defeat to Atlético Madrid—leaving the pitch as the sole judge for Mbappé and his teammates.
