Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe gives first impression of manager Xabi Alonso | OneFootball

Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe has now established himself as the clear number one at the Santiago Bernabeu, usurping Vinicius Junior as their attacking leader. It seems clear that manager Xabi Alonso feels the same way, having dropped Vinicius Junior for Rodrygo Goes in their second game, while the Frenchman has played almost all of their opening three games.

Vinicius was also taken off in their third game for Rodrygo, but Mbappe has featured for all but three minutes of Alonso’s first La Liga games. That faith has been rewarded with three goals, and in the one game he did not score, Mbappe had two goals narrowly ruled out for offside. Looking sharp and engaged, it seems Alonso has made a positive first impression on him.

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Xabi Alonso is ‘a guy who wants to succeed’

During an interview with German outlet BILD, Mbappe explained that he felt Alonso’s experience as a player at the Santiago Bernabeu was aiding him.

“I had a great impression of him. You see a guy who wants to succeed. He knows the club perfectly because he played for Real Madrid himself as a player,” quote Marca. The objectives this season were defined clearly as ‘winning trophies’.

Image via Real Madrid CF

“We have to keep working, we have to keep trying because we know how difficult it is to win trophies.”

Mbappe on bringing down Barcelona

A major step on the path to doing so will be bringing down a Barcelona side that for the first time in history recorded four Clasico victories against Los Blancos, scoring 16 goals in the process.

“We learned a lot from last season, but it’s time to prove it,” Mbappe said regarding their record against the Blaugrana.

“Of course, this will take some time. This season is very important for the club, but we’re also heading towards the World Cup, so it’s also important for all the players who want to go there, including myself.”