Kylian Mbappé has shared a video of himself riding a bicycle on social media, just days after his Real Madrid manager, José Mourinho, said players couldn't go cycling because of the injury risks involved.
In an Instagram story posted on Sunday, Mbappé -- 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 a 1970s song "The Good Guys, The Bad Guys" by the singer Michel Fugain, has been interpreted in the French media as a response to his critics.
Last month, Mourinho used bike riding as an example of the activities footballers must avoid, given 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."
Mbappé suffered a hyperextension of his left knee during France's game with Türkiye on September 25, and was subsequently released by the national team.
ESPN has reported that his participation in Real Madrid's game with Villarreal this Saturday when LaLiga returns is in doubt, although he is expected to be fit to play Barcelona in El Clásico on Oct. 25.
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Mbappé has scored seven goals in seven league games for Madrid so far this season, but the team are already six points behind rivals Barça in the table.
He faced criticism in the Madrid media last season after being pictured on holiday on a yacht with his partner, while recovering from a hamstring injury.