‘Mbappe will listen, but not fully’ – Adebayor questions Mourinho’s authority over Madrid stars

Former Togo international Emmanuel Adebayor shed light on Real Madrid's current team atmosphere, suggesting that manager José Mourinho may face a challenging task in managing a squad filled with high-profile players. Adebayor has personal experience with Mourinho, having worked under him during a loan spell at Real Madrid in 2011, where he shared the dressing room with stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Gonzalo Higuaín.

With Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham now among Real Madrid's key figures, Adebayor believes Mourinho's ability to maintain respect from his players will be crucial. He recalled Mourinho's authoritative presence during his first stint at the club when the Portuguese coach was enjoying a successful European football career, but noted that Mourinho's influence has diminished since then, particularly among younger players who didn't witness his peak.

Adebayor stated that Mbappé will listen to Mourinho due to his status as the manager, but he won't fully comply—players like Mbappé, Vinicius, and Jude Bellingham possess significant egos, which could lead to conflicts within the team. He pointed out that while players may appear united on television, the reality may be different.

Adebayor expects Mourinho to make his authority clear if he feels his position is being undermined, potentially facing consequences from both the club's leadership and his own players. Following Real Madrid's recent 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid, Adebayor believes Mourinho will likely address the situation with the club's hierarchy and his players, setting clear expectations or even considering a managerial change if necessary.

According to Adebayor, Mourinho's biggest challenge may lie in managing the personalities within the dressing room and maintaining team unity, alongside the tactical and results-driven aspects of the job.