Kylian Mbappe has defied one of the major rules laid down by Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho after the Frenchman shared a video of himself riding a bicycle on social media.
Mourinho said last month that Real Madrid players could not go cycling because of the injury risks involved.
However, in an Instagram Story posted on Sunday, Mbappe — who is currently out of action after picking up an injury with France earlier in this international break — filmed himself cycling, smiling and wearing a helmet on what appeared to be a country road.
The video clip, which lasted just a few seconds and was accompanied by the 1970s song “The Good Guys, The Bad Guys” by singer Michel Fugain, has been interpreted in the French media as a response to his critics.
Kylian Mbappe is spoken to by Zinedine Zidane, Head Coach of France as he is substituted off after sustaining an injury during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match against Türkiye. (Photo by Ahmad Mora – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Last month, Mourinho used bike riding as an example of the activities footballers must avoid, given the demands of their profession.
“You are a football player 24 hours a day,” Mourinho told the Bet It Drives show. “Everything reflects the job. What you eat, what you drink, how you sleep, even things in your private life. You cannot ski. You cannot ride a bike.
“You fall off your bike, and you don’t play three matches maybe, or maybe worse, maybe you break a leg … There are a lot of things you have to give up to be a football player.”
Mbappe suffered a hyperextension of his left knee during France’s game against Turkey on September 25 and was subsequently released by the national team.
The Frenchman is now a doubt for Real Madrid’s La Liga clash against Villarreal this Saturday.
Despite the injury setback, Mbappe is expected to be fit to face Barcelona in El Clásico on October 25.
Mbappe has scored seven goals in seven league games for Madrid so far this season, but the team are already six points behind rivals Barcelona in the table.
