Mourinho confirms Mbappe return and says forward met Real Madrid obligations

Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Kylian Mbappe will play for Real Madrid after the forward's injury-interrupted international break, saying the France captain had fulfilled his responsibilities to the club. In a press conference published by Madrid on October 9, the coach rejected suggestions that Mbappe's conduct warranted disciplinary action and said he would not be left on the bench.

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Mourinho said Mbappe had been assessed at Madrid's Valdebebas training base and then sought an outside medical opinion because of a knee issue. According to the club's transcript, the two assessments reached the same diagnosis. The coach did not disclose the details of the recovery programme, while making clear that the player had followed the club's requirements.

BBC Sport reported that Mbappe withdrew from France duty after sustaining an injury against Turkey on September 25. Images he subsequently shared from a Paris Fashion Week event and of himself riding a bicycle drew scrutiny. Mourinho disputed how those activities had been portrayed, describing the criticism as ridiculous rather than simply exaggerated.

On the cycling footage, Mourinho said the bicycles were provided for short journeys within a hotel complex in Switzerland, BBC Sport reported. He also said Madrid players had done what was expected of them during the break. His response included a broader warning that a player who failed to meet the club's standards would be kept at home, not selected as a substitute.

The update concerns a forward who scored 42 goals in 44 club appearances last season, although Madrid finished without a trophy, according to BBC Sport. Mbappe, 27, also won the World Cup Golden Boot with 10 goals as France finished fourth. Madrid are six points behind Barcelona after seven La Liga matches.

Mourinho separately said Federico Valverde remained doubtful, with a decision still to be made. Eder Militao was back training but not yet available, while Ferland Mendy was joining work on the pitch and Rodrygo was further from returning. Those updates were given in the same club-published press conference.