Mbappe talks PSG exit, Real Madrid transfer, Ballon d’Or ambitions – ‘I could have arrived sooner’ | OneFootball

Kylian Mbappe continues to make history with France. His strike against Iceland in a 2-1 win saw him move into second place in the country’s all-time scoring charts.

With 52 goals, he has now surpassed Thierry Henry’s tally of 51. Only Olivier Giroud stands ahead of him with 57, a target the Real Madrid star could realistically reach in the near future.

To mark the milestone, Mbappe sat down with L’Equipe for an interview alongside his mother and agent, Fayza Lamari.

The pair spoke openly about his past, present and future, offering insight into his move to Madrid, his relationship with PSG, his ambitions, and the subject of Zinedine Zidane.

“Real Madrid was calling me, it was always my dream. I could have arrived sooner,” he bgan saying about his move in 2024.

But PSG won the Champions League

PSG won the Champions League a year after Mbappe left. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

After years of speculation, Mbappe finally made the switch to the Bernabeu. Ironically, the year after his departure, PSG lifted their first Champions League under Luis Enrique.

Yet the Frenchman insists he does not dwell on what might have been.

“I have friends on the team and those who know me know that friendship is important to me. You can’t spit on a team where your friends are, even if it hadn’t been PSG.

“My story was over and I left without regrets. Even the things I did wrong are part of my story.

“When I played there, we were very close to the goal, we managed to be in two semi-finals and a final.

“We didn’t win and my time passed. Real Madrid called me, it was always my dream and I could have even gone earlier,” he explained.

Adapting to the Bernabeu spotlight

Now into his second campaign with Real Madrid, Mbappe has had to deal with mixed receptions.

His unveiling highlighted his long-standing affection for the club as he even held up a miniature Bernabeu he was gifted as a child.

Mbappe has settled in well at Real Madrid. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Yet, some fans have criticised him for disappearing in decisive moments despite finishing the season as Golden Boot winner.

“I’m aware of everything, but I try to live my career thoroughly, with passion. It’s impossible to do everything well.

“The important thing is to know when you’re doing well or not doing well. That’s the greatest strength of a champion, his lucidity.

“It’s what allows you not to lose your head, not to be in a world detached from reality.”

Ballon d’Or ambitions

The forward also spoke about the Ballon d’Or, a prize he is widely expected to win in the coming years. But he accepts that 2024/25 will not be his turn.

“No, I can’t win this year. Dembele and Achraf? I can’t choose between two friends. The important thing is that their performance is recognized. I would be very happy for both of them in any case.”

Finally, Mbappe addressed the subject of Zinedine Zidane potentially succeeding Didier Deschamps as France coach.

“No one can say no to that. If it’s him, we’ll be delighted, and if it’s not him and it’s someone else, we’ll accept it too.

“No one is going to tell Zidane he can’t be national team coach because he’s the most important person in the history of French football.”