Mbappé finally adapts to Real: “I didn’t come to Madrid to play badly”
French forward says he thought too much in the first half, and that was detrimental; he assured that he wants to return to the French national team
Kylian Mbappé believes he has overcome all the adaptation problems arising from the move from PSG to Real Madrid , also ensuring that everything is fine with the French national team and he hopes to return in March.
What was the problem in the beginning ? «If I can give my opinion… I thought a lot, too much. You can see in the games, it was a time of adaptation for the group. I thought a lot about ‘how to do this, how to move, whether I get into Vini’s zone or Rodrygo’… and when you think so much, you don’t play well”, he considered in the preview of the game against Salzburg in the UEFA Champions League , his first press conference since the presentation.
Reaction to criticism : “I’m very calm, it’s normal. When you’re a player like me, with everything that was expected of me, it’s normal for people to talk. But for me it’s not something personal, you have to stay calm and focus on your game. I knew I could change the situation.”
What changed? «I think it’s more mental, [it was] saying ‘now I have to do more’. He was fine physically, but he had to do more and he knew it. It was time to change everything, because I didn’t come to Madrid to play badly. Here we always have to play well and I’m playing well.”
The dream of playing for Real Madrid: «It’s always a dream, every day I come to Valdebebas and have the opportunity to wear this shirt… I know I’m living a dream. Also when I didn’t play well I was happy because I knew it was my fault, not my teammates’ or the club’s. I try to learn Spanish culture, which is different from French, but I have fun. I like my life.”
«Love» for the French team
“Nothing is happening with the national team. That’s how France is and I can’t change what happens there. I’m looking forward to coming back in March and helping them qualify for the Nations League; my love for the national team hasn’t changed. But for now, I’m only thinking about Madrid. I’m thinking about playing my best football,” he said.
