Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe spoke in the mixed zone after his team’s 2-0 win over Real Oviedo on Thursday. He did not start the game, and was asked after some of his comments whether he has had any problems with coach Alvaro Arbeloa, to which he said: “”No, none. I’m not going to have a problem with not playing. But I have to accept the coach’s idea. I have to work to be better than Vini , Mastantuono, and Gonzalo.“
Mbappe on whether he is ‘unwell’
“No, I’m fine, very well. I haven’t played because the manager told me that, for
him, I’m the fourth-choice striker. I accept that and I’ll start on the bench.”
Mbappe on why he was not in the starting lineup
“Ask the manager. I was ready to start, but it’s his decision. I can’t be angry with him ; I have to respect his opinion. I have to work hard and wait to become a starter.”
Mbappe on why he did not speak before
“Because I prefer to speak here. Many don’t, and I have to look at the press to find out what they think.”
Mbappe’s analysis of the season
“I think we started the season well, in La Liga, the Champions League… but we lost it in the second half. It hurts a lot for us because I feel we had a structure and a playing style, and we lost it. That hurts a lot. As does finishing without any titles. But we must learn, accept the criticism, and come back next year with ambition.”
Mbappe’s relationship with Xabi Alonso
“I have a great relationship with him. I’m sure he’ll be a great coach, but that’s the past… and we need to look ahead. To what we can improve, change, and do better.”
Mbappe on the booing
“We have to accept it, my friend. It’s people’s opinion. Nobody’s going to die tonight. It’s normal when we don’t win, people choose players. It happens at every club.”
Mbappe on Florentino Perez
“The president is the best president in the world, the best in the history of Real Madrid. It’s difficult how he’s been treated. We can’t forget what he’s done. It’s an honor to have him.”
Mbappe on his ‘vacation’
“Vacation? That’s your opinion; you don’t know what I’ve done. Why do you say ‘vacation’? My mistake was not helping the team win titles. The rest is just opinions. Nobody knows why I left. I had the club’s permission. That sells. But I’m only focused on winning titles.
“I had the club’s permission, and I don’t watch the manager’s press conference. I have French TV at home.”
Mbappe on what’s missing this season
“Yes, I always have to score goals. It’s in my DNA, it’s what I do best. In the second half of the season I had that knee problem, which was awful. I missed a significant part of it…”
Mbappe on whether the club made a mistake
“They are never wrong, it’s the best club in the world. What hurt me the most was that people said I didn’t want to play. And when I played in the Copa del Rey, they said it didn’t make sense for me to play, and then we lost to a similar team. And then they said I didn’t want to play…”
Mbappe on the fight between Valverde and Tchouameni
“I wasn’t there, I can’t confirm. I left without knowing what happened. I had the same information as you.”
Mbappe on his knee problems
“We always talk about what’s going on. I went to Paris in full communication with the club, with the doctor… What’s being said outside… I can’t comment on everything.”
Mbappe on the World Cup
“”It’s an incredible opportunity for all the players. There’s a lot of pressure, and it’s a lot of fun. I think back to the kid I was when I was in France. I hope we win and focus on what we need to do.”
