Kylian Mbappé spoke exclusively to AS in Zurich, where he was attending the signing ceremony for his new sportswear partnership with Swiss brand On. From there, he reflected on what happened in the Madrid derby against Atlético.
Asked whether the derby defeat represented a step backwards for Real Madrid, Mbappé said: “Yes, definitely, a step backwards. It was very difficult. We wanted to win, and we knew what kind of game we were going to face. But the team gave everything, and we have to keep moving forward because there is still a long way to go this season. We have to stay on the right path.”
Mbappé also addressed the major refereeing controversy surrounding the derby and whether Real Madrid had been denied a level playing field: “I’ve never been a player who talks much about referees. I’m not going to start now. I have my own thoughts, but I keep them to myself. I’ve never been that kind of player, and I’m not going to start now. The referee is human, he makes mistakes, and there were mistakes, but I don’t want to get into that.”
The Frenchman believes the focus now has to be on looking ahead and working to turn the situation around.
“Yes, we have to work and do more. Other people can talk, but we have to do more and work to bring the excitement back to Real Madrid and bring the trophies back.”
He also spoke about a new chapter for the French national team under Zinedine Zidane.
“It’s a new chapter with a new coach. The Nations League is coming, four matches, and we’ll see how they go. It will be new for everyone because all we’ve known so far is Deschamps. It will be a change for us, but I think everything is going to work out very well.”
Zidane, in fact, was the one who took a young Mbappé to Real Madrid’s training ground to explore the possibility of him joining the club’s academy.
“Yes, that was years ago. He was the first person to pick me up and take me to Real Madrid, to the training ground. I was 13 or 14 at the time—it was a long time ago. And now he’s my national team coach. It’s like a movie, but it’s great. It’s real. We’re starting a new process with France, we have two years to prepare for the European Championship, and that’s what we’re focused on now.”
Finally, Mbappé was asked about the Ballon d’Or race, with voting set to close in a week.
“I think I’ve already said everything I had to say about it. People weren’t happy when I talked about it too much, but that’s how it is. I’m calm about it. I’ve done everything I could, and I think I’ve done it well. Now I just have to wait.”