Kylian Mbappé future for Real Madrid don enter serious doubt, according to L’Equipe. The 27-year-old striker was injured while playing for France during international break. But he post clips on social media of him cycling in Switzerland last week. Report say Madrid boss Jose Mourinho reprimanded am. The striker still get three years left on contract. After two seasons without major trophy, report say he dey consider him options. Liverpool and Arsenal don dey linked with am before, but Madrid no go consider offers less than €200 million.
This no be first time Mbappe actions while injured cause criticism. Back in spring, he take vacation to Sardinia with girlfriend Ester Expósito while recovering from hamstring issue. Club give permission, but some fans and sections of media no like timing. Discontent lead to online petition calling for Mbappe to leave club. Petition gather tens of millions of online signatories.
Five months later, and despite exceptional start to 2026-27 season, Mbappe don rile people up again. After hyperextending him knee on international duty with France, dem allow am recover away from Madrid. But Instagram images of striker riding bike in Switzerland—despite Mourinho personal preferences—some interpret as Mbappe deliberately acting out. The incident blow up in Spanish press. MARCA vox pop fans about ‘bicycle-gate’. L’Equipe say some people close to Madrid dey criticize Mbappe for not keeping low enough profile. Mourinho ask him to be more discreet in him communication style.
The incident add fuel to rumors of Mbappe long-term unhappiness for Spanish capital after two turbulent, trophy-free years. RMC journalist Daniel Riolo question him motivation levels. He claim say parting of ways between world biggest club and player at end of season ‘cannot be ruled out.’ Riolo talk say bicycle incident na just tip of iceberg. He wonder if Mbappe still get desire. He ask wetin Mbappe want. He talk say e be like Mbappe wake up every morning thinking he go make huge mistake.
Riolo continue say Mbappe can’t keep making mistakes like this. He say he dey astonished at Mbappe absence from France matches to support him team-mates. He talk about Monday at Stade de France, where all big stars show and French football family gather. He say though e no compulsory, Mbappe get right to do something instead of sending message say he no care about opinion. He add say everything get limits. He say Mbappe need send positive message. Riolo address Mbappe directly: ‘Enough! You’ve crossed the line, enough!’ He talk say he get impression say Mbappe no well mentally. He mention Mbappe obsession with Ballon d'Or and say e shame to offend him friend Ousmane Dembélé.
Despite all this talk, transfer no go easy. Mbappe still under contract for Bernabéu until summer 2029. He be Europe highest-paid soccer player on reported salary around €30 million, or $33 million, per year. Liverpool current highest-paid player na captain Virgil van Dijk on £18.2 million, or $24 million, a year. Mbappe arrival go require massive financial outlay. Number of clubs wey fit accommodate him wages plus nine-figure transfer fee dey very small. Madrid and him former club PSG fit be only European options. Saudi Pro League go get finances, but e feel unlikely say player openly chasing Ballon d’Or and first Champions League title go leave Europe for prime of him career. He already turn am down in 2023.
Even with unrest talk, L’Equipe report say Mbappe still get unwavering support of president Florentino Pérez. The president na fan of forward and spend decade trying to land am. After 94 goals in 111 games and two Pichichi trophies, Mbappe don dazzle as galáctico but never yet click inside great Real Madrid team. Abandoning Mbappe project now go be major loss of face for Pérez. From Pérez perspective, only thing wey fit change situation na if another superstar forward like Erling Haaland become available. But that one na entirely speculative.
For Mbappe, Madrid—despite road bumps—still as good a place as any to work on him personal goals. The No. 10 return to training at Valdebebas this week. He dey work to be involved in Saturday return to domestic action against Villarreal. More goals go help media move on from bicycle drama. But rumors of unrest fit continue as long as Madrid no dey win trophies. Mbappe contract with Real Madrid runs until summer 2029.
