Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé spoke to the media ahead of the UEFA Champions League tie against his former club AS Monaco, addressing in part the protests from fans at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday, as he said, “of course, it’s not Vini’s fault. It’s the fault of the whole team. That’s the only thing I have to say to the fans. They should boo the whole team. We have to accept it, it’s our job. We know that. But you can’t single out individuals and say it’s their fault. It’s everyone’s
fault. At Madrid, there are moments like this and we have to change it.”
Mbappé on the train crash in Andalusia
“Before we begin, I would like to send my thoughts to the victims in Córdoba. To all the fathers, mothers, sisters, and brothers who have lost someone. There are things more important than football.”
Mbappé on Monaco
“Monaco is a team that is not at its best, but it always manages to maintain its level. I think we have to be aggressive and show that this is our day. We want to win to secure a place in the top eight. It’s an important game against a tough opponent. Champions League nights at the Bernabéu are an advantage for us.”
Mbappé on the Bernabéu’s whistles and boos
“The boos, to me… I think I understand them. I understand them. Before I was a player, I was a young man and when I wasn’t happy, I spoke badly about the players and, if I was on the field, I booed. I understand it, because we’re not doing things right. What I didn’t like was that if they boo, it should be to the whole team. You shouldn’t single out one player. We’re doing badly as a team, and we have the personality to change that on the field. I don’t see Madrid fans being against us. They’re angry, and I’m sure they’ll come back to us.”
Mbappé on what he would do if he were Vini
“I’m not Vini. If you want, I can find him for you. I don’t have to give advice. I’m not in a position to give advice. My only responsibility is to take care of him, protect him… When he’s happy, he’s different.”
Mbappé on if he’s spoken to Brahim
“I haven’t spoken directly to Brahim. I spoke to Achraf and I have a bit of an idea of what happened. It’s a difficult time. It’s true that I also went through difficult times with the national team. Anger, rage. But you have to keep working. That’s the life of a footballer. I came to Madrid to win titles, but you also have to think about people, about feelings. Our idea is to get Brahim back on track and support him.”
Mbappé on the team’s poor form
“Where did you get the idea that there was a problem between the players and the coach? To say that Xabi has not been successful is not true. He left before the titles were won. Xabi, for me, will be a great coach. I had a great relationship with him. He has that obsession with details, with the game. What happened happened. It was the club’s decision and we have to respect it. Now there’s a new coach and it’s his first professional experience. We’re going to help him.”
Mbappé on whether he spoke to Xabi Alonso after his sacking
“I spoke to him when it all happened. I have a good relationship with him. We talked about life and I wanted to support him. Fair or unfair, it’s not my responsibility. With the affection I have for him, that’s life. I must support my new coach, Arbeloa, with the same affection I have for Xabi. That’s the life of a top-level player. It’s the club’s decision and we have to respect it.”
Mbappé on Super Cup and Copa del Rey defeats
“I’m not being clever when I say it wasn’t easy. But that’s how it is. At Madrid, you have to be prepared for any situation and show personality. The fans are ready to support us, and we have to show what we can do. We’re going to fight until the end. We can compete.”
Mbappé on reports he traveled to the Super Cup to try to save Alonso’s job
“Do I have to comment on everything the French journalists say? I travel because I always want to play every game. Whether it’s good or bad, I don’t know, but that’s how I am. If I have the opportunity to play every game, I will. We made a plan to come back in the Super Cup, but it didn’t work out against Atleti. I was very sad. I wasn’t ready to play in the final, but the coach asked me to come and support the team. I tried to play as hard as I could. It didn’t go well because we didn’t win, and now we’re back. To do things right.”
Mbappé on whether it annoys him to talk about such reports
“No… But there are things that are said that aren’t true. Sometimes 10% is true and 90% is a lie. But our job is to accept it, although sometimes I say it and it’s not right. When I have the opportunity to speak, I say it…”
Mbappé on whether there is any truth behind any of the reports
“Maybe, maybe. That’s why I say I understand everything. There are journalists who do a good job. Sometimes they’re true and sometimes they’re false. That’s why I understand people. When I was a kid, everything they said on TV was true. I understand that people form opinions based on what they hear. Our job is to get people back on our side. And to rebuild the family that is Madrid.”
Mbappé on Bellingham also receiving whistles and boos
“No one doubts Bellingham’s quality. He has a lot of potential. When he’s in form, he’s one of the best in the world. It’s tough for everyone. We can accept that the fans are unhappy. But they should boo everyone, it’s not Jude’s fault or anyone’s in particular. It’s our job to change the situation. We won in the league and now we have to continue in the Champions League. If the fans see that we are making an effort, that we are playing well, they will be back with us.”
Mbappé on his journey since being at Monaco
“It was magnificent, I was able to fulfill many dreams. Although I still have many more to fulfill. But, as I’ve always said, I wouldn’t be here if it hadn’t been for Monaco. I was able to learn a lot, to develop. I would have had a different career, but I wouldn’t have made it this far without Monaco. I was lucky. They gave me so much to help me fulfill my dream of becoming a professional player, and I won’t forget that.”
