Speaking on La Tribu, the RMC Sport journalist said he was struggling to understand the France international’s recent decisions, particularly away from the pitch, and wondered whether his expectations of Madrid had been disappointed.
“After the summer, I have to say that I don’t understand anything Mbappé is doing, especially in terms of communication,” Riolo said.
He suggested the forward may have expected a different team and a more convincing project at Madrid following the change of coach, only to encounter problems that remained unresolved.
“He expected a different team. The team is the same, with the same problems as last season. The coach changed, but the problems are the same,” Riolo said. “He is disappointed, but he is a Real Madrid player.”
Riolo then raised the possibility of a move to England, naming Liverpool when asked whether that could be a destination.
“It is possible that he is looking for a little peace and quiet in England, for example,” he said. Asked specifically about Liverpool, he replied: “It could be. Because I don’t think he is happy.”
Riolo suggested Mbappé appeared detached from the reaction to his actions, adding that he seemed to be in his own world and unconcerned about what journalists or supporters thought.
The journalist also criticised the attention surrounding Mbappé’s recovery from injury, including reports about his appearance at a nightclub after leaving the France squad and the subsequent controversy over a bicycle.
“I don’t understand anything about what he is doing with the France team, leaving injured and then going to a nightclub, with the pictures and the cameras, and then the bicycle episode,” Riolo said.
He argued that such a perceived lack of concern about public opinion could become a problem at a club with the profile of Real Madrid.
“For me, it is a problem at a club like Real Madrid to say, ‘I don’t care about anything people think’,” he said. “Football is a popular sport, and you cannot say you do not care about what people think or say.”
Riolo was equally emphatic when asked about Mbappé’s partnership with Vinicius Junior. While acknowledging that he did not know the nature of their personal relationship, he questioned whether the two forwards could function effectively together.
“It is not possible for Vinicius and Mbappé to play together. To me, it seems impossible, impossible,” he said.
Riolo’s comments represent his interpretation of Mbappé’s situation, rather than evidence that the forward is preparing to leave Madrid. His suggestion of Liverpool as a possible destination was speculative, with no confirmed move or negotiations cited.
The remarks nevertheless underline the scrutiny surrounding Mbappé as he continues his recovery and prepares to return to action for Madrid.