Mbappé says the Ballon d'Or must return to the Bernabéu
Kylian Mbappé told AS in an exclusive interview that the Ballon d'Or must return to the Bernabéu, explaining why wearing Real Madrid’s white kit is, in his view, essential for achieving football immortality. He added that the club’s history offers the only platform for a player of his calibre to cement a lasting legacy.
Real Madrid as path to immortality
He said, “I think that if you want to belong to the history of football, you have to go through Real Madrid.” The French forward believes that joining the Spanish giants is a necessary step toward the kind of permanence he seeks.
Mbappé highlighted president Florentino Pérez’s influence, noting a decade of constant contact before his arrival at the club. “He has always told me that one day I would play for Real Madrid, and here I am… He is the best president in the world,” he declared.
He also praised José Mourinho, describing the Portuguese manager as one of the smartest people he has met in football. The compliment underscores the respect Mbappé holds for the coach’s tactical acumen.
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Ballon d'Or ambition ahead of derby
Looking ahead, Mbappé set a personal target for the rest of the season: to bring the Ballon d'Or back to the Bernabéu. “Being a Real Madrid player means fighting for every trophy, the Ballon d'Or is a trophy, and I’m going to fight to try to bring it back to Real Madrid,” he affirmed.
When asked about Barcelona, the forward downplayed the rivals’ start and avoided direct comparisons. He acknowledged Real Madrid’s recent fragility, noting the side entered the summer without any titles. “I don’t like talking about other teams because I’m not there, I don’t know what they do. They have won matches, but it’s the start of the season,” he explained.
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The interview was conducted days before the Madrid derby, a fixture Mbappé described as “special.” He insisted that, beyond any controversy, the shared high standards between the squad and the fans constitute the core message he wants to convey.