Kylian Mbappe talks Ancelotti, Alonso, Vinicius, Ronaldo, Messi, rejecting Real Madrid for PSG | OneFootball

Kylian Mbappe recently appeared on Movistar+’s Universo Valdano, where he spoke openly about his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, and life at Real Madrid under new head coach Xabi Alonso.

The French superstar also looked back at his first season in Madrid under Carlo Ancelotti, offering insight into how both coaches differ in their approach.

“They are different, two generations of coaches coming together. Ancelotti is one of the best in history. When you arrive, you are happy to play for him.

“He is always close to the players,” said the French striker.

Turning his attention to his current coach, Mbappe spoke with respect and admiration. “Xabi wants to help a lot, but he is younger.

“He has more need and desire to prove himself with Real Madrid, to achieve things in his first big opportunity at the best club in the world.

“We’re going to try to help him win as many titles as possible,” he said.

Mbappe also touched upon the importance of this season for both club and country.

“It’s an important year with Madrid and with the national team. We’ve started the season well, but I think we have to improve if we want to get where we want to be,” he noted.

Speaking about the pressure that comes along while playing for Real Madrid, he said,

”You put that pressure on yourself: ‘I’m at the best club in the world, and I have to win and do it well.’ That pressure is something you impose on yourself.”

On Ronaldo and Vinicius

Mbappe explained his relationship with Vinicius. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The forward also praised Cristiano Ronaldo, expressing gratitude for the guidance he has received from the Portuguese legend.

“Cristiano has always been a role model, an example for me. I am lucky to be able to talk to him and get advice from him. He helped me a lot.

“At Real Madrid, Cristiano is number one, the leading player. People, even now, dream about him, but I want to make my own way.

“I hope that people dream about me in the same way, that it will be a historic moment for me and for Real Madrid,” he said.

He further addressed rumours of tension with teammate Vinicius Jr., making it clear that there is mutual respect between them.

“That’s more than in Spain, humans are like that. It’s the same in France or England, two famous players in the same team sell a lot of paper.”

Rejecting Real Madrid in the past

Reflecting on his earlier decision to reject Madrid and remain at Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe explained his reasoning with honesty.

“At that moment, it was very clear. When I left Monaco, the clear objective was to play. At Madrid, there were Benzema, Cristiano, and Bale, and I didn’t want to be on the bench.

Mbappe rejected Real Madrid in the past. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

“All the clubs in Europe told me I would play, and at Madrid I knew I wouldn’t.

“Of course, it was my dream, but playing as a starter is a privilege, and I had the opportunity to be at home in Paris.

“I had seven incredible years there. The pride of playing where you were born is special, but of course, I had the dream of playing for Madrid. It was incredible to play in Paris,” he noted.

It must be noted that at PSG, Mbappe had to priviledge to play alongside Lionel Messi, as the two shared the field for two seasons.

Speaking about this experience, he said, “He is a very normal person inside a locker room. He was totally normal and had respect for everyone.

“When you have someone like that on your team you have to stay close to them and observe everything they do. It helped me a lot to understand the game. It was lucky for me to play with Leo Messi.

“I didn’t think I was going to play with him in my career. I thought he would stay in Barcelona all his life and my dream was Madrid, I didn’t plan to go to Barcelona in my life.

“I can only thank him. It was a golden opportunity,” he concluded.