Real Madrid News
Kylian Mbappe explains how his life has changed since joining Real Madrid: ‘I can live more freely’
As France prepare to begin their World Cup campaign against Senegal, Kylian Mbappe has offered a rare glimpse into his life away from the pitch, discussing everything from his adaptation to Real Madrid to the painful memories that still linger from the 2022 World Cup final.
In an extensive appearance on Le Parisien ahead of his tournament debut, the Real Madrid superstar reflected on his first months in Spain, his relationship with fame and the challenges that come with being one of the most recognisable footballers on the planet.
According to comments made during interviews with his France teammates and later with Le Parisien, Mbappe is enjoying a very different lifestyle in Madrid compared to the one he experienced in Paris.
Opening up on his life at Real Madrid
Since completing his long-awaited move to Real Madrid, much of the attention has focused on Mbappe’s performances on the pitch.
However, the 27-year-old revealed that one of the biggest changes has actually come away from football.
Discussing his day-to-day life in the Spanish capital, Mbappe explained that he has been able to enjoy a level of freedom that was difficult to find during his years in France.
“I’m prepared to be famous; I have to deal with that.”
The Real Madrid forward then highlighted how life in Madrid has allowed him to enjoy ordinary experiences once again.
“I’m very happy in Madrid; I can live more freely than in France. I can go out on the street without security.
“I can live my life and make plans that I didn’t make before. It’s good. I do very normal things, more than people think.”
The 2022 World Cup heartbreak
While much of the interview focused on the present, one topic inevitably brought Mbappe back to the most painful moment of his international career.
The Real Madrid star was asked about France’s dramatic defeat to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final, a match in which he produced one of the greatest individual performances ever seen in a final but still ended up on the losing side.
Reflecting on that experience, Mbappe admitted the memories remain difficult to process.
“It’s very difficult to lose a World Cup final. It’s a competition that takes place every four years. Many of the players from that match are no longer in this World Cup.
“That’s the cruelty of it – to think we went through all that only to lose on penalties. I don’t believe in luck; penalties aren’t a lottery.
“It’s a technical skill, but it remains the cruellest way to lose a World Cup final,” he concluded.
According to TeamTalk, Real Madrid have joined the growing list of clubs monitoring Gabriel Rajkovic, a 15-year-old winger whose rapid development at Valerenga has already attracted attention from several of Europe’s leading sides.
The Merengues are known for keeping an eye on exciting young talent across the globe and it seems that Rajkovic’s exploits in Norway, with the first team, have alerted them.
Real Madrid keeping tabs on Rajkovic
As per the report, Real Madrid are among a host of clubs closely following the progress of the young forward.
Rajkovic holds both Norwegian and Serbian nationality and has emerged as one of the most promising young players in Norway.
His development has not gone unnoticed, with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund also understood to be monitoring him.
However, at this point, it is Arsenal and Chelsea, who are understood to be leading the charge for Rajkovic, having compiled a detailed dossier on the teenage prodigy after extensive scouting.
On top of that, the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all watched Rajkovic in recent weeks.
Real Madrid could therefore face significant competition if they decide to step up their interest in a player who has already made an impression at senior level.
Making an impact at just 15
Rajkovic was handed a promotion to the Valerenga first-team squad in January earlier this year, when he was only 14 years old.
Following that, he signed a new contract with the club in March, when he turned 15, committing to the club until 2028.
Despite being only 15, the winger has already begun gaining experience in first-team football. In all, he has made 14 senior appearances for the Norwegian outfit, scoring three and assisting one goal.
Rajkovic has also represented Norway Under-16s, making two appearances and scoring once despite being younger than many of his teammates.
Those numbers become more impressive when his age and stage of development are taken into account.
Real Madrid have built a reputation for identifying young talent well before players reach their peak, and Rajkovic has now emerged as another name on their scouting radar.
But given the number of clubs in the race, signing the teenage wonderkid will not be easy.
