Speaking to ‘AS’ from Zurich, Kylian Mbappe reflected on the derby defeat, insisting Real Madrid must “work harder” to get their quest for silverware back on track.
In the aftermath of the derby debacle against Atletico Madrid, Kylian Mbappe addressed Real Madrid’s shortcomings from the France national team camp in Zurich.
“It was a step backwards. It was very tough; we wanted to win and knew what kind of battle was in store. But the team gave everything and we move forward because there is a long way to go this season, and we have to stay on the right track,” he declared.
“We must work and do more. Everyone else can talk, but we have to deliver and put in the graft to restore excitement at Madrid and bring back the trophies,” he continued.
Touching upon the officiating, which left Madridistas incensed after neither ‘Cuti’ Romero nor Kang-In Lee were sent off, Mbappe struck a diplomatic tone: “I don’t think I’ve ever been a player to talk much about referees. I am not going to start now. I have my opinions, but I keep them to myself. I’ve never been that kind of player and I won’t change today. Referees are human; they make mistakes—and mistakes were made—but I don’t want to get into that.”
Meanwhile, the Bondy-born forward relished his first international camp under Zidane at the helm of ‘Les Bleus’, reflecting fondly on the moment ‘Zizou’ brought him to Valdebebas as a youngster: “It is a new era. It will be a shift for us, but I believe everything will work out brilliantly. He was the first person to pick me up and take me to Madrid, to the training complex, when I was 13 or 14—a lifetime ago. Now he is my national manager. It feels like a movie, but it is top quality. It is real; we are embarking on a new cycle with France, we have two years to prepare for the European Championship, and that is our primary focus right now.”
Finally, the subject of the Ballon d’Or inevitably surfaced. With barely a week remaining before voting concludes, the Frenchman looked to draw a line under the speculation: “I think I’ve said everything there is to say on the matter. People weren’t happy when I spoke about it too much, but it is what it is. I am completely calm about it. I’ve done everything I could and believe I did well. Now we just wait,” he concluded.