Luis Figo talks Mourinho, Mbappe, Ballon d’Or, La Liga title race: ‘Real Madrid will fight until very end’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid have not had the best of starts to the season. Heading into the international break, they are sitting six points behind rivals Barcelona in LaLiga after a 2-1 defeat in the Madrid derby.

The result has raised fresh doubts over Jose Mourinho’s side, who have already lost twice this season.

However, Real Madrid legend Luis Figo remains confident that Los Blancos will be in the title race come the business end of the campaign.

Figo backs Real Madrid

Speaking to Radio MARCA (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Figo insisted the club would not give up despite their deficit.

“Surely Madrid will fight until the very end. This is a competition that has to be regular until May.

Figo believes Real Madrid can recover. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

“There will be highs and lows during the season. When there are lows you have to have the maturity and also the quality to overcome them and move on,” he said.

Currently serving as an advisor to UEFA, but a man with strong ties with Real Madrid, Figo also addressed Mourinho’s criticism of the referees following the derby.

“He has done what he has thought to do at the time. I don’t have to comment. I think they are personal performances and if he has done it it is because he has felt it that way,” said Figo, who admitted he had not watched the derby as he was in Zurich.

Praise for Barcelona and Mbappe

Figo also offered his thoughts on Barcelona, acknowledging the flying start made by Hansi Flick’s men.

Figo has heaped praise on Mbappe. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

“They have started very strong. They’re winning, playing well, scoring goals,” he said, before adding that the season remains long. “You have to see how the season goes, which is very long. For Spanish football, logically, it is good.”

The former winger reserved special praise for Kylian Mbappe, who has been in prolific form for Real Madrid this season.

“He is always at a very high level. He’s one of the best in the world, to score goals,” Figo said.

On the Ballon d’Or, whose voting closes on Monday, he remained diplomatic. “Who has the power to decide is the one who votes. You have to wait to see what happens. I don’t vote, so I don’t have that problem in my head,” he concluded.