DA difficult moment and a resolute statement in the press room from the authority of the Real Madrid dugout, the best player, Kylian Mbappé. The team’s top scorer with 30 goals faced a sensitive press conference after Saturday’s incident at the Bernabéu, following a difficult week that saw Xabi Alonso sent off and the Copa del Rey defeat at Albacete.
After paying tribute to the victims of the tragic train accident in Adams, Mbappe began answering questions with a calm and powerful message.Whistle against Levante: “I understand how people feel. Before I became a footballer, I was a young man watching the matches. If I had a complaint, I would whistle. For Madrid fans, that’s the only chance. I didn’t like that they whistled at some players. It’s the whole team’s fault. We have the character to change it. Madrid fans are angry, but they are with us.”Bellingham and Vinicius: “If we didn’t play as well as we should, it’s not Vinicius’ fault. It’s the whole team’s fault. Madrid fans don’t have to pick players and whistle alone. We have to change things and we know that. We’re going to do it.”Said Vinicius: “He is a human being, a human being. It is normal for him to be impressed. He is a great player, a great man. We must protect him better so that he is not alone. He will never be alone at Madrid. The whole club is with him.”
Endrik enjoys life at Olympique Lyon and forgets about Real Madrid
What if he was Vinicius?: “I’m not Vini (laughs). I don’t give him any advice. He knows every step of the club. I’m not the one to give him advice. When Vini is happy, he’s different.”
Xabi Alonso: “It is not true that Xabi Alonso did not succeed at Madrid. He left before the title was decided. Xavi will be a great manager. I have a great relationship with him and I wish him the best. He knows a lot about modern football and it is a club decision that should be respected. Now we have a manager who we have to help.”Did you talk to Xavi?: “Yes, I spoke to him when the news broke. I wanted to support him because it’s never easy. It’s not my responsibility to say whether it’s fair or unfair. That’s what football is. High-level football is life. We have to protect the Madrid badge.”On the trip to Jeddah: “I’m traveling because I want to play all the games. That’s the way I am. If I get the chance, I’ll go to all the games. We made plans to come back in the Super Cup. It was disappointing to watch the game against Atleti from here. But it’s also important to support the team. I try to play as much as I can.”Whistle for Xavi’s sacking: “It’s a possibility. I understand the frustration and the whistle of the people. When I was a kid, I believed that everything that was said on TV was true. Sometimes it’s an opinion, but our job is to compete.”More from Xavi: “I’m not trying to make fun of it. Of course it happened. That’s life at a big club. There are a lot of things that are said that are not true. It’s not right, but we accept it.”
