French football star Kylian Mbappé, the top scorer in Spain's La Liga in 2025 and 2026, is facing a backlash in Spain over his management of a knee injury. According to reports, Mbappé has been absent from training for seven days, sparking concerns about his commitment to recovery. The 28-year-old suffered the injury during a match with the French national team against Turkey.
Josep Pedrerol, a well-known sports presenter in Spain, has been critical of Mbappé's handling of his injury. In an editorial on his popular TV show El Chiringuito, Pedrerol accused Mbappé of not taking his recovery seriously, citing a video of the player riding a bike on social media. Pedrerol claimed that this behavior was at odds with the advice of coach José Mourinho, who had reportedly told Mbappé to avoid such activities.
Pedrerol's criticism of Mbappé extended to his absence from training, with the presenter questioning whether the player was genuinely injured or not. While Pedrerol stopped short of accusing Mbappé of deliberately trying to avoid playing, he suggested that the player's behavior was causing concern among fans and the team. The incident has sparked a debate about Mbappé's commitment to the team and his management of injuries.
According to medical reports, Mbappé's injury is an hyperextension of the posterior capsule of his left knee, which is expected to keep him out for 10-12 days. The player is aiming to return to action on October 10 in a league match against Villarreal. However, Pedrerol's comments have raised questions about whether Mbappé will be able to recover in time and avoid further criticism.
Pedrerol's criticism of Mbappé has significant implications for the player's reputation in Spain. As one of the most popular and successful players in the world, Mbappé's image is closely scrutinized by fans and the media. Pedrerol's comments suggest that Mbappé is losing the affection of the Madrid fans, which could have long-term consequences for his career.
The incident has also raised questions about the relationship between Mbappé and coach José Mourinho. While Pedrerol did not directly criticize Mourinho, his comments suggested that the coach's advice was being ignored by the player. It is unclear how this incident will affect the relationship between the two, but it is clear that it has created tension and uncertainty.
In conclusion, Mbappé faces a challenging period in his career as he seeks to recover from injury and repair his image in Spain. With his reputation and relationships with the team and coach under scrutiny, it remains to be seen how he will respond to these challenges and regain the trust of the fans and the media.
Key points
- Mbappé faces criticism in Spain for his handling of a knee injury.
- Presenter Josep Pedrerol accuses Mbappé of mismanaging his recovery and losing the affection of the Madrid fans.
- The incident raises questions about Mbappé's relationship with coach José Mourinho and his commitment to the team.
