Kylian Mbappé Reflects on Real Madrid Journey and National Team Return
In a recent interview, Kylian Mbappé shared insights into his experience at Real Madrid and his return to the French national team. The star forward, now in his second call-up as a Real Madrid player, opened up about various topics including his transition to the Spanish club, the Ballon d’Or controversy, and his relationship with the French national team.
Mbappé admitted to facing challenges during his initial months at Real Madrid, citing a change in status and heightened expectations. He explained, “It’s not the first time I’ve gone through something like this. The difference now is my status and the increased scrutiny.” The striker attributed his early-season struggles to a combination of factors, including disappointment from the Euros and limited playing time at PSG towards the end of the previous season.
However, Mbappé noted that his form has significantly improved since late November or early December. He expressed his focus on helping Real Madrid achieve a historic treble in his debut season, stating, “I’m concentrating on Real Madrid and the extraordinary treble we could accomplish. It’s something the club has never done before, so it would be truly remarkable to achieve it in my first year.”
Regarding the Ballon d’Or, Mbappé surprisingly revealed, “I thought Vinicius would win the Ballon d’Or, but it ended up going to Rodri. If I had told you this three months ago, you would have thought I was crazy.”
On his return to the French national team, Mbappé clarified that there was no falling out with the coach. He expressed enthusiasm about rejoining the squad and emphasized the importance of preparing for the 2026 World Cup. Mbappé also dismissed rumors of a strained relationship with Antoine Griezmann, stating they maintain good communication despite playing for rival clubs in Madrid.
As Mbappé returns to the French national team, tensions in France have eased. His comeback is eagerly anticipated, and it remains to be seen how his presence will impact ‘Les Bleus’ moving forward.