According to multiple reports, including The Athletic and Sky Sports, Jose Mourinho’s appointment as Real Madrid head coach is all but confirmed. After 13 years away, the Portuguese tactician is set to return to the Santiago Bernabeu, with club president Florentino Perez and fans alike hoping he can reverse the club’s recent decline. However, one of the first major challenges will be managing Kylian Mbappe’s role at the club.
Since February, Mbappe has missed several games due to injury, with a controversial misdiagnosis by Real Madrid’s medical staff adding to the turmoil. Even after recovering, the French star has been absent from multiple matches, fueling speculation that he is avoiding injury ahead of the World Cup. This has led to frustration among supporters, and whistles were heard at the Bernabeu during his absence.
Reports from Mundo Deportivo suggest that some high-ranking club officials are considering selling Mbappe due to his erratic behavior and lack of chemistry with Vinicius Jr. However, Perez remains the striker’s strongest advocate, reportedly willing to part ways with Vinicius before even considering a sale of Mbappe. The Frenchman is seen as a key part of the club’s Galactico policy and remains untouchable for now.
Inside the dressing room, doubts are growing over Mbappe’s impact. After back-to-back trophyless seasons, many players question whether his arrival has disrupted the team’s dynamic. The struggles of Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham—both once considered Ballon d’Or contenders—have been attributed to Mbappe’s presence, with critics arguing that his style of play has thrown the squad off balance.
The upcoming season will be critical for Mbappe. Even if he wins the Golden Boot, failure to deliver silverware will only intensify the scrutiny. Mourinho’s return represents the biggest test yet for the 26-year-old. He will need to adapt to a system that prioritizes collective effort over individual privileges. Luis Enrique gave similar advice at Paris Saint-Germain, but Mbappe ignored it. Whether he will listen to Mourinho remains to be seen.