Mbappe back in Real Madrid training after knee injury as reports of Mourinho row swirl before Villarreal

Kylian Mbappe is back in full training with Real Madrid and could feature against Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, 10 October, despite Spanish media reports of a tense private exchange with head coach Jose Mourinho earlier this week. The French forward took part in group sessions at Valdebebas on Wednesday and Thursday after recovering from a left knee injury picked up on international duty. Kick-off on Saturday is 9pm in Madrid, which is 3am on Sunday in Malaysia.

The knee injury and the road back

Mbappe hurt his left knee during France's 1-0 Nations League win in Turkey on 25 September, the first match of Zinedine Zidane's spell as France coach, in which Mbappe scored the only goal. He left the France squad and returned to Madrid to recover.

Real Madrid said on 5 October that he was still working individually in the gym and on the pitch. Two days later the club's training report confirmed he had joined the group, and he completed Thursday's full session reportedly without discomfort. Whether he starts against Villarreal, or begins on the bench, is likely to be addressed by Mourinho at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

Mbappe's availability matters. He has scored seven goals in seven LaLiga matches this season, and Real Madrid sit fourth on 15 points, six behind a Barcelona side that have won all seven of their league games.

What has been reported about Mourinho

The off-field story began with a video Mbappe posted of himself cycling in the Swiss Alps while injured. Mourinho had said publicly in September that players should avoid risky activities: "A player can't ski in the mountains, he can't ride a bicycle."

According to claims made on the Spanish TV show El Chiringuito, Mourinho then rebuked Mbappe during a private conversation over breakfast at Valdebebas on Tuesday, 6 October, telling him he would back him in public but not behind closed doors. These claims have not been confirmed by Real Madrid, Mourinho or Mbappe, and the club has not issued any statement about a dispute.

On the same day Mbappe did not train with his team-mates and flew to Paris for the day with the club's permission, returning to Madrid that evening.

The Ballon d'Or subplot

A journalist on Radio Marca also claimed Mbappe had asked the club to promote his Ballon d'Or candidacy and had been turned down. Mbappe appeared to respond with a joke on social media about falling out with a relative over a lack of support. The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony takes place on 26 October.

A busy October ahead

After Villarreal, Real Madrid travel to Roma in the Champions League on 14 October and host Sevilla on 18 October, before the first Clasico of the season away at Barcelona on 25 October. With that run approaching, a fit and settled Mbappe will be central to Mourinho's plans, whatever happened at breakfast.

Key takeaways

• Mbappe rejoined Real Madrid group training this week after a left knee injury suffered with France on 25 September.
• He could face Villarreal at the Bernabeu on Saturday, with kick-off at 3am Sunday Malaysia time.
• Spanish TV reports of a private Mourinho rebuke over a cycling video remain unconfirmed.
• Real Madrid are fourth in LaLiga, six points behind leaders Barcelona, before the 25 October Clasico.

FAQ

Is Mbappe fit to play against Villarreal? He has returned to full group training, but Mourinho has not yet confirmed whether he will start or be eased back in.

Did Mourinho and Mbappe have a row? Spanish media outlets have reported a heated private exchange, but neither the club nor the two men have confirmed it.

What time is Real Madrid vs Villarreal in Malaysia? The match kicks off at 3am on Sunday, 11 October, Malaysia time (9pm Saturday in Spain).

Sources: Real Madrid CF, beIN Sports, Goal, French Football Weekly