Real Madrid News
Mbappe opens up on racism, PSG struggles, Luis Enrique, Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has offered a rare and deeply personal insight into some of the toughest moments of his career, touching on racism, his final phase at Paris Saint-Germain, and the players he idolised while growing up.
One of the most striking parts of the interview revolves around the aftermath of his missed penalty during UEFA Euro 2020 against Switzerland, a moment that led to France’s elimination and triggered a wave of abuse.
Reflecting on that period, Mbappe did not hold back as he explained the emotional toll it took on him.
“When I missed my penalty against Switzerland, I started getting called a monkey. I went on vacation and was a walking dead man; I was in shock.
“When I joined the national team, I immediately won the World Cup. I quickly became a national hero and told myself that France was doing just fine.
“Then you have to deal with all that at once, and it’s tough. I asked for a meeting with Noël Le Graët and told him I wasn’t going to play anymore,” he confessed.
Praise for Luis Enrique
Mbappe also spoke about his complicated final year at PSG, particularly under Luis Enrique.
While he praised the Spanish coach’s tactical understanding, he admitted that circumstances prevented him from fully enjoying that period.
“He’s a great coach. He truly speaks his mind. Unfortunately, I had him during my final year on my contract with PSG. And my last year was a roller coaster.
“I couldn’t really enjoy my time with him. I was sidelined for the first month. When I decided to leave, I barely played in the league during my final four months.
“I enjoyed it as a football fan and from a tactical standpoint. But in my situation at the time, I couldn’t truly enjoy it. He’s a coach who knows a lot,” he said.
Looking back at PSG’s Champions League triumph shortly after his departure, Mbappe stated,
“If I had left earlier and they had won, I think there would have been some resentment.
“But when I left, I felt like I’d reached the end of the book: seven years, I’d done it all, it didn’t make sense to continue.”
Footballing idols
The conversation also turned to his footballing inspirations.
Mbappe has often spoken about Cristiano Ronaldo, and once again placed him among the biggest influences of his career, alongside Zinedine Zidane.
“My first idol was Zidane, and Cristiano came later. As a forward, Cristiano showed every possible variation. Because he has different styles and knows how to do everything.”
Finally, Mbappe reserved special praise for Lionel Messi, recalling a moment from training that left a lasting impression during their time together in Paris.
“It’s crazy; he’s not like Neymar: he does everything right.
“Let me tell you a story: we were doing finishing drills in Paris. Neymar and I were among the best.
“We scored six or seven out of ten, but he took nine shots and scored nine identical goals, all perfectly placed, and I looked at the goalkeeper as if to say, ‘Can’t you see?’ It’s unbelievable,” he concluded.
Source: AS
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid believe recent events vs Villarreal and Roma were necessary to unite dressing room
As is the case always, there is a lot of noise surrounding Real Madrid. The Merengues continue to wage war against FC Barcelona over the Negreira case while continuing to battle the refereeing system in La Liga.
Performances on the pitch have not met the level of expectations and there is constant scrutiny on the team and the club as a whole.
Not a coincidence
Now, according to Jose Felix Diaz of AS, Real Madrid do not view recent events as isolated incidents. At Valdebebas, the club’s leadership believes that what has happened since the start of La Liga points to something more than a series of coincidences.
In their view, the events suggest a deliberate pattern, with the four-match suspension handed to Vinícius Jr. on Wednesday representing the culmination of what they perceive as a series of provocations.
Relations between Real Madrid and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have been strained for some time, but club officials believe the latest developments go further than previous disagreements.
Their view is that what has happened “has not been accidental”, although this is a reflection of the club’s position rather than an established fact.
Vinicius suspension intensifies the dispute
Real Madrid see the four-match ban imposed on Vinicius as a provocation, both because of its length and, above all, because of the timing of its announcement. The decision was communicated less than two hours before kick-off against Roma.
The RFEF’s disciplinary decisions are usually published in the early afternoon. However, the complexity of the Vinicius case coupled with some other events delayed the publication of all the rulings, not just the one concerning the Brazilian’s red card.
Nevertheless, the timing has reinforced Real Madrid’s existing concerns about their relationship with the governing body.
Mourinho becomes the club’s public voice
The latest disagreement comes after tentative efforts to open a dialogue, which have so far failed to produce meaningful progress. Relations between the two sides appear more distant than ever.
One significant difference this time is that Jose Mourinho has become the principal spokesperson for Real Madrid’s position. The Portuguese coach is prepared to communicate the club’s views directly and without diplomatic restraint.
Mourinho represents the club’s thinking and shares its concerns. His personality and direct communication style align with the message Real Madrid want to convey.
Comeback in Rome could prove a turning point
Despite the growing tension off the pitch, Real Madrid believe their recent performances could have a positive impact within the squad.
The club consider the events of Saturday and the comeback against Roma on Wednesday to have been particularly important.
There is a strong belief at Valdebebas that the team needed moments of adversity and a comeback of that magnitude to achieve greater unity within the dressing room.
The Champions League battle in Rome is therefore viewed as more than just another result. Internally, the conviction is that the experience could help strengthen the team’s collective spirit and bring the players together at a crucial stage of the season.
