Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has vehemently defended star striker Kylian Mbappe against "ridiculous" criticism regarding his recovery from a left knee injury. Mbappe sustained a hyperextension during a Nations League match against Turkiye on September 25. Fans criticized him for recovering in France and Switzerland instead of Madrid, and for being pictured at a Parisian nightclub and on a bicycle. Mourinho clarified that Mbappe underwent scans in Madrid and saw a specialist in France due to his knee history. He also explained the nightclub was a private Fashion Week event and the bicycle was a hotel amenity. Mbappe, who returned to training, could feature against Villarreal on Saturday. This follows previous fan attacks, including issues with a "We are all Ceutans" T-shirt alongside Vinicius Jr and Ibrahima Konate, and an earlier "Mbappe Out" campaign.