Real Madrid News
French Football president optimistic About Real Madrid star’s international return in March
Kylian Mbappe is currently navigating one of the most challenging periods of his professional career. Since joining Real Madrid this summer, he has struggled to display the form that made him one of football’s most celebrated talents.
Compounding his difficulties at the club level, Mbappe has been absent from the French national team during the last two international breaks—once due to injury concerns and another as part of a tactical decision made by Didier Deschamps.
The president of the French Football Federation (FFF), Philippe Diallo, recently commented on the matter. He revealed that he has not spoken directly with Mbappe since the Euros, but he is aware that Deschamps has taken steps to engage with the forward.
“It seemed natural to me to let the coach speak to the player. He told me about the conversations they had had up until the decision he made for the last squad,” he began saying as quoted by MARCA.
Diallo acknowledged that Deschamps had travelled to Madrid on multiple occasions to discuss matters with Mbappe. Despite these interactions, the final decision on Mbappe’s inclusion in the squad has always rested with the coach.
The first absence was justified
Mbappe’s initial absence in October was explained as being injury-related. However, it raised eyebrows because the player had featured in Real Madrid’s matches against Lille and Villarreal shortly before the international break.
His omission from the November squad was even more surprising, as no specific physical issue was cited.
Addressing this, Diallo emphasised that decisions regarding player selection fall entirely under the coach’s purview, making it clear that Deschamps provided his reasoning at the time of the announcement.
“I am the president of the Federation, I am not the coach. Deschamps explained his choice at the time of the list.”
In a delicate situation
Despite these challenges, Diallo expressed optimism about Mbappe’s future with the national team. He underscored Mbappe’s immense value to France, highlighting his unique abilities and contributions.
“He is in a delicate moment today in terms of sport. When he is the best player in the world, he is an irreplaceable asset for the French national team.”
Diallo’s hope is for Mbappe to regain his confidence and form, rejoining the French squad in March to play a pivotal role in their upcoming matches.
“My only wish is for him to return to what he is and for him to join us in March for the next meeting to bring us everything that he has already brought to the French national team,” he concluded.
Real Madrid News
Kylian Mbappe unlocks three Champions League achievements after Roma 3-4 Real Madrid thriller
Kylian Mbappe marked his 100th UEFA Champions League appearance with a goal against AS Roma, reaching another major milestone in a competition he has dominated throughout his career.
As such, the Real Madrid forward scored his 72nd Champions League goal on Wednesday, moving past club legend Raul Gonzalez on the competition’s all-time scoring list and into fifth place.
Mbappe surpasses Messi and Raul
Mbappe reached 100 Champions League appearances against Roma and marked the occasion with a goal.
Kylian Mbappé is the youngest-ever player to reach 100 Champions League appearances (27y 298d). Lionel Messi’s record is broken (28y 84d). 💯 https://t.co/QxB7jmGlop
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 14, 2026
At 27 years and 298 days, he became the youngest player to reach that landmark, surpassing Lionel Messi’s previous record of 28 years and 84 days.
As such, Mbappe’s 72 Champions League goals have come across three clubs: six for Monaco, 42 for Paris Saint-Germain and 24 for Real Madrid.
Only Messi and Lewandowski outscored Mbappe
Mbappe’s record becomes even more impressive when measured against other top Champions League forwards during their first 100 appearances.
📊 Only Robert Lewandowski and Lionel Messi scored more goals in their first 100 Champions League matches than Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman has netted an incredible 𝟕𝟐 goals in his first century of matches. 🔥 https://t.co/77Yg7DdD6L
— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) October 15, 2026
Robert Lewandowski scored 81 goals in his first 100 matches, while Messi registered 77. Mbappe’s 72 goals place him behind those two players, but ahead of numerous other legendary attackers.
Cristiano Ronaldo remains the Champions League benchmark
Despite moving into fifth place, Mbappe still has a substantial gap to close before reaching the top of the all-time scoring rankings.
Karim Benzema sits ahead of him with 90 goals, followed by Lewandowski on 109 and Messi on 129. Cristiano Ronaldo leads the standings with 140 Champions League goals.
𝐊𝐘𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐌𝐁𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐒 𝐑𝐀𝐔𝐋 𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐂𝐋 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐋𝐒 😲👏 That is now 72 UCL goals for him, breaking into the top 5 😮💨 𝘼𝙡𝙡-𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙜𝙪𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙧𝙨: 👇 140 ⚽ Cristiano Ronaldo 129 ⚽ Lionel Messi 107 ⚽ Robert Lewandowski 90 ⚽ Karim Benzema 72 ⚽ Kylian Mbappé 71 ⚽ Raúl Where will he finish on the all-time UCL top scorers list? 👀
— 433 (@433) October 14, 2026
Mbappe’s 72 strikes leave him 18 behind Benzema, meaning the next target in his pursuit of the all-time greats is within reach if he maintains his scoring rate.
Understandably, Ronaldo’s 141 goals remain the benchmark, leaving Mbappe 68 goals short of the record.
The gap is considerable, but the Frenchman has already demonstrated the scoring consistency needed to climb the rankings, and it won’t be a surprise if he breaks his idol’s record.
