Mbappé Under the Spotlight Off the Pitch Days Before the World Cup
Days before the World Cup, France captain Kylian Mbappé is drawing scrutiny off the pitch. Spanish media reported a brief trip to Madrid, a viral clip stirred talk of camp tension, and his warm-up form has been questioned, even as France remain among the favourites.
D ays before the World Cup, France captain Kylian Mbappé is drawing as much attention off the pitch as on it. Spanish media, led by Mundo Deportivo, reported that the Real Madrid forward briefly left France's training camp to travel to Madrid, while a viral clip and questions over his form have added to the noise around one of the tournament favourites.
A reported trip to Madrid
According to Mundo Deportivo, Mbappé left the France camp for the Spanish capital in a trip the paper reported was authorized for personal reasons. Images then circulated of him in Madrid with Spanish actress Ester Expósito, to whom he has been linked, and some French supporters questioned the timing so close to the tournament. France's staff have not made the details public, and the reporting describes the leave as sanctioned rather than unauthorized, so this is being reported rather than confirmed by the federation.
A viral video, but no confirmed rift
The trip followed an earlier clip that spread on social media before the June 4 friendly against Ivory Coast, appearing to show Mbappé and N'Golo Kanté passing each other without a greeting. It fuelled speculation about the mood in the France camp, although the outlets that covered it stressed there is no evidence of an actual falling-out.
Form questions after a warm-up stumble
The off-field talk has come alongside scrutiny of Mbappé's own form. France lost that Ivory Coast friendly 1-2, with Mbappé taken off at half-time, before bouncing back to beat Northern Ireland 3-1 on June 8 thanks to a Michael Olise hat-trick. His individual displays drew criticism in the French press even as the team found its feet.
Still among the favourites
For all the noise, France remain one of the leading contenders. They are in Group I with Senegal, Iraq and Norway, and open against Senegal on June 16. With the tournament about to begin, every move by the captain and biggest star of a title favourite is magnified, on and off the pitch.
Reporting: based on Mundo Deportivo and French media, with match details via ESPN and France24, June 10, 2026.