Diouf: Inter frustrated after Real Madrid loss, but Mbappé ‘the best player in the world’ – video | OneFootball

Inter midfielder Andy Diouf feels the Nerazzurri had ‘enough quality’ to beat Real Madrid and praises his compatriot Kylian Mbappé: ‘He’s the best player in the world.’

Cristian Chivu’s Inter suffered a 2-1 loss away at Real Madrid in the opening match of the 2026-27 Champions League.

The Nerazzurri went 2-0 down in the first half with Real Madrid making the most of evident mistakes from Nerazzurri players, especially Curtis Jones and Josep Martinez.

Diouf and Huijsen react to Real Madrid 2-1 Inter

MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 08: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid is challenged by Andy Diouf of Internazionale during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Real Madrid C.F. and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 08, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Talking in the mixed zone at the Bernabeu last night, Inter midfielder Diouf said: “[There’s ] a lot of frustration. It’s normal because we play every game to win. We had the quality to do that today. And there was a lot of space. So it’s quite frustrating when we make mistakes, but that’s top-level football. You learn a lot from these kinds of games.”

Diouf’s compatriot Mbappé scored the opening goal last night.

“He is the best player in the world. We saw it today: they get one chance, and they score straight away; they’re clinical,” Diouf said.

MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 08: Lautaro Martinez of Internazionale clashes with Dean Huijsen of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Real Madrid C.F. and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 08, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

“So, as I said, it’s in games like this that we have to learn so we don’t make the same mistakes again.”

Inter return to action next Monday, hosting Udinese at San Siro in the Serie A Round 4.

Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen, a former Juventus player, also spoke to reporters after the match.

“We missed a lot of chances today, and that frustrates people,” he said.

“But having that level of expectation is good for us. We just have to keep working. But I think we’re doing well. And we keep going.”

Watch the full interviews below: