Mati Prats criticises Mbappé and questions Mourinho’s handling of the situation

“The Mourinho of old would not let Mbappé get away with this,” Mati Prats said while discussing the forward’s situation. In a conversation with Raúl Varela on La Tribu de Radio MARCA, the journalist criticised the Frenchman’s behaviour, his repeated trips and the way José Mourinho is managing the situation, which he believes does not fit the Portuguese coach’s usual image.

Prats does not believe the recent developments involving Mbappé are simply coincidental. “I consider Mbappé extraordinarily intelligent, which is why I don’t believe any of these coincidences that have happened lately,” he said. He pointed in particular to the player arriving at 11:15 on a Monday while the team trained at 10:30, as well as a video of him on a bicycle after Mourinho’s comments.

The journalist also questioned the privileges he believes the player receives at Real Madrid. Referring to his presence in Paris, Prats asked: “Have you ever known a player at Madrid as privileged as Mbappé? So many holidays, so many permissions, with the coach looking the other way?” He added: “I still think he’s a freeloader.” Mbappé, meanwhile, responded ironically to information from Radio MARCA: “Yes, and I also got angry with my great-aunt.”

Prats said the issue goes beyond goals, pointing to the lack of titles, commitment and leadership, and said Madrid supporters were disappointed with Mbappé. His criticism also extended to Mourinho. “I’m seeing a very soft Mourinho,” he said, adding that he was surprised the coach was approving the situation and not stepping in more firmly with the forward.

Prats said he did not recognise the coach from his first spell at Madrid. “This isn’t the Mourinho I knew in 2010, 2011 and 2012,” he said. He questioned whether Mourinho had returned to restore order in the dressing room, rein in egos and impose discipline. Against that backdrop, Mourinho has spoken with Konaté, Cucurella, Diomande and Mbappé at Valdebebas.