Top News

Mbappe: I am the best in the world, and I score more than Raphinha and Dembele

Strong remarks from the French superstar.

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe spoke to the media ahead of the Champions League meeting with Inter. He addressed the team’s preparations for the much-anticipated fixture, while also discussing several personal subjects, most notably his hopes of winning the Ballon d'Or, his understanding with team-mate Vinicius Junior, and working under Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho.

This is Mbappe’s third Champions League season wearing the Real Madrid shirt. He is determined to guide the club to the one major trophy that has so far eluded him in his career.

The Bernabeu as extra motivation

Speaking about the match against Inter and how he is feeling before the game, Mbappe said: "We are very happy to be back playing a match in the Champions League. We play with passion and determination, and the Santiago Bernabeu stadium gives us extra motivation.

He added: "It will be a difficult match, but it is the Champions League, and that is why we are very happy to play in it."

The relationship with Vinicius

The France star also discussed his relationship with team-mate Vinicius Junior, and the constant debate over how well the two combine, saying: "I do not know, that is the opinion of millions. Real Madrid is the biggest club, and I cannot control what is said. We have the same objective, which is to win titles. We cannot control people’s opinions, and we are always trying to improve."

Working with Mourinho

On working with Jose Mourinho, Mbappe explained: "I look at the bigger picture to get the best version from the 11 players. I know people like to focus on these things, because that is what sells, but I think with a team mentality and about how we can develop."

He continued: "Mourinho is someone who knows how to win, and how to pass on this mentality to those around him. He gives motivation to the whole club and to his group, and the most important thing is winning matches."

The comparison with Dembele and Raphinha

When confronted with criticism of his defensive work, and asked whether he and Vinicius Junior needed to press more given that players such as Ousmane Dembele and Raphinha do more of that than the two of them, Mbappe first responded with sarcasm before giving a more serious answer.

He said: "If I wanted to answer in a silly way, I would tell you that I score more goals than the players you mentioned, and therefore they need to score more to be like me."

"Every player has his own different characteristics," he added.

He then gave what he described as the honest answer. "But I am intelligent, so I will tell you that I need to improve. However, I do not like comparisons, because I do many things that others do not do," the French star explained.

Mbappe continued on the defensive issue: "We all need to improve, and that is natural for any player. Everyone is different, and we must do things intelligently. I do not like comparisons, because it is an endless debate. We all need to develop in this aspect, as well as when we have the ball. This is the nature of life in a team at the highest level."

The Ballon d'Or

On whether he deserves to win the Ballon d'Or, Mbappe said: "When you play for Real Madrid, people link you with this award. Many people talk to me about the Ballon d'Or, which is a positive thing. I made history this summer, but we will see. It is a good year to achieve it, and in the end it is up to people to vote."

Asked if he feels he is the best player in the world, the Frenchman replied with clear conviction: "I always feel that way, but this is very personal. Everyone has their own opinion, some will say yes and others will say no. It is a debate, and it is not necessary for everyone to think like me. This year could be a good one to win the Ballon d'Or, but it is the journalists who vote, and they are the ones who will choose."

40 goals with trophies or 60 without titles? Mbappe responds to Mourinho

Mourinho had said that he would rather see Mbappe score 40 goals and win titles than score 60 goals without lifting any trophies. The French striker responded: "I would prefer even fewer than that as well, even 30 goals. I will not say this is a debate for people who do not play football, but it is certainly an absurd debate."

"If I score 40 goals and we are competing for the league, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, should I stop scoring because if I score more we will not win?" he added. "Of course I want to win titles, but it is not a choice between the two. You have to do both: score goals and win titles."

The World Cup defeat still hurts, but the hunger remains

Mbappe also spoke about the defeat to Spain at the World Cup, and whether that had increased his desire to become champions of the UEFA Champions League, saying: "They are two different matters. Of course, not winning the World Cup was a difficult moment. I think it was a positive experience for us in order to create a bond with the country and the energy that exists around the national team."

He added: "We won the World Cup once, and we cannot always win no matter how much we want to. After every defeat, you always have greater motivation to win."

The need to improve

Speaking about the progress he has made from a tactical point of view, Mbappe explained: "I have two different roles with the national team and here. I have to take a step forward. There I am the captain, and here I am not."

He added: "As a player, I want to develop, whether in reading the game or knowing when to attack and when to control, as well as in managing emotions. I have gone through different experiences and points of view with many coaches, and that has helped me a lot. There are many matches within one match."

The Paris crown does not concern me

To conclude, Mbappe was asked about Paris Saint-Germain winning the Champions League after his departure, and whether he saw the two things as connected.

He replied: "I cannot change that. I cannot speak in general terms. It does not concern me much. I do not know everything about football, but I know more than a lot of people. I am calm."

Mbappe signed off with a pointed comment: "Sometimes things are not analysis, they are just things that sell, and talking about me sells a lot."

Read also:

Real Madrid’s failure in Andalusia: a stumble or the beginning of the decline?