Mbappé’s Camp Defends Him, Calls Criticism an ‘Overinterpretation’ Amid Injury Recovery

Kylian Mbappé’s Response to Criticism

Kylian Mbappé’s camp has reacted strongly to recent backlash regarding the football star’s conduct during his recovery from injury. They described the criticism as an “overinterpretation” of his situation and clarified that his rehabilitation schedule has been closely managed by the club.

Injury and Recovery

Following a hamstring injury sustained during a 1-1 draw against Real Betis on April 24, Mbappé has been sidelined, leading to frustration among fans after he was seen vacationing in Paris and Sardinia.

After spending time away, the forward returned to Madrid on Sunday night, coinciding with his teammates’ important 2-0 victory against Espanyol, which keeps their LaLiga title hopes alive.

Clarification from Mbappé’s Representatives

In the wake of growing concern from the media, Mbappé’s representatives issued a statement to AFP on Tuesday, asserting that the discontent stems from a misunderstanding. They emphasized that Kylian’s recovery process is taking place under the club’s direct supervision, and his dedication to the team remains unwavering.

Support from Coach Álvaro Arbeloa

Coach Álvaro Arbeloa lent his support to Mbappé, underscoring that all rehabilitation protocols for injured players are overseen diligently by Real Madrid’s medical team.

“They dictate when players should be present at Valdebebas. During their downtime, players can choose their own activities… I trust the commitment of all my players,”

Arbeloa remarked.

Mbappé’s Performance and Club Standing

As the top scorer in LaLiga with 24 goals, in addition to 15 in the Champions League this season, Mbappé is nearing the end of another disappointing campaign devoid of a significant trophy since his transfer to Madrid in 2024. The club has faced a challenging year, marked by the mid-season dismissal of coach Xabi Alonso and the hiring of Arbeloa.

Currently, they sit second in LaLiga, trailing Barcelona by 11 points with only four matches remaining. To keep their title aspirations valid, Real Madrid must defeat Barcelona in next Sunday’s matchup.

Upcoming Match and Fitness Evaluation

Ahead of this crucial game at Camp Nou, Arbeloa mentioned that Mbappé’s fitness would be evaluated, although early assessments indicated that his injury might take longer than initially anticipated to heal.