Jose Mourinho has publicly defended Kylian Mbappe, calling the recent criticism directed at the French forward "ridiculous." This comes as Mbappe faces backlash following his recovery from an injury sustained while playing for the French national team at the end of September. Despite the scrutiny, Mourinho confirmed that Mbappe will be in the starting lineup for Real Madrid's upcoming match against Villarreal.

Mbappe has been criticized for his trips to Paris and Switzerland during his recovery, especially after he shared a video of himself cycling on social media. Mourinho dismissed these concerns, emphasizing that all Real Madrid players are adhering to professional treatment and recovery protocols. He noted that Mbappe has been evaluated at the Valdebebas training center and has consulted with external specialists due to his previous knee injury.

The Portuguese manager also raised questions about whether there is a media campaign aimed at inciting fans to boo Mbappe at the Santiago Bernabeu. He firmly stated that the forward has not breached any obligations to the club and should not be benched due to off-field controversies.

As Real Madrid trails Barcelona by six points, the team is under pressure to improve its performance this October, especially with the El Clasico approaching on October 25. Mbappe is expected to play a pivotal role in the team's attack, despite not yet securing a major trophy with the Spanish giants.

Mourinho also took the opportunity to defend Vinicius Junior, who has faced criticism from fans. While acknowledging that Vinicius has not been at his best, Mourinho praised his work ethic and desire to win, urging fans to support rather than criticize him.