Kylian Mbappé sat down for an in-depth interview with Universo Valdano, offering a candid reflection on his career choices, experiences with legends like Lionel Messi, his World Cup heartbreak, and his early impressions of Real Madrid life under Xabi Alonso.
His Initial Move to PSG Instead of Real Madrid
“At that moment it was very clear. When I left Monaco, the clear objective was to play. At Madrid, there were Benzema, Cristiano, and Bale, and I didn’t want to be on the bench. All the clubs in Europe told me I was going to play, but at Madrid, I knew
I wouldn’t. Of course, it was my dream, but being a starter is a privilege, and I had the opportunity to be at home, in Paris. I had seven incredible years there. The pride of playing where you were born is special, but of course I had the dream of playing for Madrid. It was incredible to play in Paris.”
His Experience with Lionel Messi
“When you talk about players who have made history, you think of Messi. He’s a very normal person in a dressing room. When you’re famous, a lot of people label you, and if you listen to them, it gets into your head, but no, he was totally normal and had respect for everyone. As a player, he was unique. When you have someone like that on your team, you have to stay close to him and observe everything he does. He helped me a lot to understand the game. It was lucky for me to play with Leo Messi. I didn’t think I was going to play with him in my career. I thought he would stay in Barcelona for the rest of his life, and my dream was Real Madrid. I didn’t think I would ever go to Barcelona. I can only thank him. It was a golden opportunity.”
The Three Goals in the World Cup Final and the Tough Defeat
“You don’t think about scoring in a final, but rather winning it. But we’re forwards, so we’re the closest to the goal. It was a crazy game that Argentina deserved to win, because they were better throughout the match. We had a few moments when we were better, but if you look at the whole thing, it’s deserved. It makes you sad, but you shouldn’t forget it, because 2026 is coming and we don’t want to end up sad again.”
Spain, the Best Team in Europe
“They’re a team that controls matches a lot. Technically, they’re very strong, they have the perfect profile to play like that, dominating. Spain is one of the few national teams where the players play the same way from a young age, all the way up to the first team. And that’s an advantage. Congratulations to everyone in Spain for this work. But… they have a very young team, with many people who don’t know what a World Cup is. For me, they’re the best team in Europe right now. But a World Cup is different. We’ll see. Hopefully they don’t play well and we can win.”
The Tough Derby Defeat
“It was a tough game. Nobody expected what happened. In fact, even when you’re 2-1 up, you don’t expect to concede four more goals. It was a difficult moment for the team, but we have to keep going. Although we mustn’t forget what happened, because it will do us good in the future if we want to win. We’ll always think about this game and when difficult moments come, we’ll fight to avoid experiencing a moment like that again. But they were right. They came to play a derby and so were we, but without putting intensity into the duels or crosses. They were winning every duel… and that makes it very difficult to win a game like this. Then, we lost our rhythm, our control of the game. And what happened, happened.”
His Trial at Valdebebas at 13, and Who Decided His Path
“A bit of everything. But not the family, because I’ve always made my decisions. And they’ve understood them; it’s one of the positive things about having a family of athletes, who know that one’s career is a personal thing. Of course you want to listen to the people you love, but you decide. When I left Monaco, at 18, I was very clear that I wanted to play… and Madrid had Benzema, Cristiano and Bale. And I didn’t want to be on the bench. All the clubs in Europe told me that I would play for their teams, but I knew that Madrid, with all the respect they had for me, wouldn’t be able to put me in every game. Of course I had the dream of playing for Real Madrid, but being a starter is a privilege. The opportunity arose to be at home, in Paris and it was a great opportunity for me. Seven incredible years. The pride of playing in the city where you were born is something very special. But of course I kept the dream of playing for Real Madrid, because I’ve had it since I was a kid. And I turned it last year. I’m very happy.”
On Pochettino, Emery, and Luis Enrique
“When you have several coaches, you accept changes more quickly. Because each one has their own way of working, of seeing football. If you know many ways of seeing it, you’re more open. I know players who have had the same coach for ten, six or seven years and when a new one arrives, they say… I’ve been doing the same thing all this time, don’t break my balls! (Laughs). I’ve learned from each one, because we’re talking about high-level coaches, eh, not normal ones. It was something special. He told me that I should take something good from each one.”
“My relationship with Luis Enrique? Good, good! I saw him two days ago, because he went to the Lille-PSG game and I saw him in the parking lot. A very good person and a great coach. I’ve had a very good relationship with him and I wish him the best in life. As a coach, I had a great time with him in Paris.”
Madrid and PSG — The Differences
“The only difference is that this is the best club in the world. You’ve seen all the players who’ve come through and the titles they’ve won. And it’s you who puts the pressure on yourself to achieve things. I’m used to the pressure from the crowd. But it’s you who says to yourself: I’m at the best club in the world, I have to win, do well, be an example for my teammates, for the fans… This is a pressure you put on yourself and it’s positive, because it helps you raise your level. It helps the team.”
Why There’s So Much Talk About His Relationship with Vinícius Jr.
“I think this isn’t just a Spanish issue; humans are just like that. It used to happen in France too. Two famous players on the same team… that sells a lot of paper. It sells a lot. The truth is, I have a very good relationship with Vinicius. Much better this year, because we know each other much better. He’s a great player and, as a person, very good. And that’s normal. We know people are going to talk about us for everything. But we have the same goal: to help Real Madrid and win titles. And I think if we want to win them, we both have to be at our best. And help the whole team.”
Ancelotti vs. Xabi Alonso
“They are two different people but… two people who have experienced different things. Two generations of coaches who cross paths. Ancelotti is one of the best coaches in history. A coach who when you walk into his dressing room, you’re happy. He’s someone who is always close to the players, who always tries to help. And Xabi also wants to help a lot, but he’s a younger coach, someone who has to prove more than Carlo… Carlo doesn’t need to prove anything (laughs)! Xabi is much younger and you can see that he wants to prove himself, to achieve things with Real Madrid. That it’s his first big opportunity at the best club in the world. We’re going to try to help him, to try what he wants from us. And to try to win as many titles as possible for Real Madrid.”
Have You Lost Weight or Not?
“Yes! When I was sick, a lot: about seven kilos. But, in the end, I gained two or three. And I feel great. I’m a little lighter than last year, all things considered, but I feel great the way I am.”
He Admits That Improvements Are Needed to Achieve His Goals
“It’s a very important year for us, for Real Madrid and for France. We have to stay focused on what we have to do. As I said, we started the season well, we’re leading the league and doing well in the Champions League. We’re starting to understand what the manager wants from us… but I think we have to improve if we want to get where we want to go.”
