– A firestorm of criticism is engulfing Kylian Mbappé just days before the 2026 World Cup, after the France captain left the national team camp for a personal trip to Madrid that many supporters feel shows a lack of commitment to the national cause.
The controversy erupted after Monday’s 3-1 friendly victory over Northern Ireland in Lille. While his departure was officially approved by manager Didier Deschamps for “personal reasons,” dissatisfaction surfaced when the French skipper was spotted just hours later in the Spanish capital, where he reunited with his partner, actress Ester Expósito.
The timing has struck a raw nerve with the French public. Coming after an unremarkable performance from the captain, the sight of Mbappé in Madrid seemed to confirm a perception among some fans that the star striker is prioritizing his private life over his duties as the leader of Les Bleus.
However, the reality of the situation may be less dramatic. Reports indicate that Deschamps gave his players a day off on Tuesday before the team’s departure for the United States on Wednesday. Fellow winger Michael Olise also took advantage of the break, traveling to Munich. Therefore, no official rules were broken, and the trip was technically within the guidelines set by the coaching staff.
Nevertheless, the optics of the trip were damaging for the player, who is under immense pressure to lead France to glory. The backlash was quickly amplified online when images of Mbappé in Madrid with Expósito began to circulate, causing many fans to conclude that the player had put a romantic reunion ahead of the final preparations for the World Cup.
A Pattern of Controversy
The incident in Madrid is not an isolated event. The atmosphere around the French national team has been tense for weeks, with Mbappé at the center of a series of troubling episodes.
· Cold Shoulder to Kanté: A viral video from last week showed a shocking lack of warmth between Mbappé and veteran midfielder N’Golo Kanté. Before a friendly against Ivory Coast, the two stars visibly ignored each other in the tunnel, with no eye contact or handshake, fueling rumors of a deep rift in the squad.
· The Captaincy Slight: Reports suggest the tension with Kanté dates back to a match against Colombia on March 29. On his birthday, Kanté was given the captain’s armband as a tribute. However, when Mbappé came on as a substitute, he allegedly ordered Rayan Cherki to take the armband from Kanté and give it to him, without speaking to the senior player himself.
· Dressing Room Clash: Further adding to the unrest, French sports daily L’Équipe reported that Ousmane Dembélé, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, publicly challenged Mbappé in the dressing room to contribute more in defense and improve his pressing.
· A Recurring Theme: This is not the first time the French captain has been criticized for questionable personal trips. A similar incident occurred earlier this year when he traveled to Sardinia with Expósito while recovering from an injury, leaving many questioning his timing and judgment.
Now, as France prepares for its World Cup opener against Senegal, Mbappé finds himself fighting a battle on two fronts: one on the field to win back the World Cup, and another to win back the trust of his own fans.
