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Mbappe heading for Alonso COLLISION as Real Madrid boss sent clear warning
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 10 Sept 2025 13:01 BST
- 4 min read
News
Kylian Mbappe’s father has sent a clear warning to Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso not to make his son defend.
The 2018 World Cup winner has spent the early years of his career at the top level being dogged by accusations that he does not work hard enough for his teams, yet Wilfried Mbappe, his father, says this is not a problem.
In an extensive interview with L’Equipe, the father of the Real Madrid star says his son should be shielded from such reproach, which he claims is misplaced.
Current ETV
Kylian Mbappé
F (C)
Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappé
F (C)
Real Madrid
ETV Range
€137.1M - €167.5M
“Is a full-back an attacker or a defender? What do we ask of him? I’m not saying that Kylian shouldn’t defend, but how do we judge a player? I don’t care if a full-back doesn’t cross well,” he argued.
“Each position has its own requirements. We’re criticising a guy who still scores 60 goals a season. What I would criticise him for, however, is that if there’s a fight nearby, he has to go and help.”
Mbappe’s shock Kvaratskhelia criticism
Mbappe went on to criticise Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who was Kylian’s replacement at PSG, for working too hard.
He singled out a moment in the Champions League final, which Les Parisiens won 5-0 against Inter Milan, that saw the Georgia star sprint half the length of the field to make a challenge.
“I might shock some people by saying this… I don’t care. That’s not Kylian’s game,” he said.
“He does things no one else can do. And that doesn’t mean we’re going to turn around and say: 'Well, Kvara doesn’t score 60 goals a season.'
“Everyone can look at it their own way, but I’m not one of those people who’ll ever demand that from forwards. And it’s not because he’s my son. I’m not saying defending isn’t important - but if his job is just to keep running back all game, then we’re not talking about the same kind of player.”
STATS
Kylian Mbappé
F (C)
Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappé
F (C)
Real Madrid
Has Alonso criticised Mbappe?
Following Real Madrid’s Club World Cup exit at the hands of PSG, Alonso aimed a dig at Mbappe.
“This championship has told me many things. About who we are and what we need to improve. I’m leaving with certainties,” he said.
Later, Marca quoted an unnamed source at Real Madrid explaining: “No player is exempt from their defensive duties. The team must come before egos.”
If Alonso is to translate the success he enjoyed at Bayer Leverkusen to Real Madrid, he will need the collective efforts of everyone in all aspects of the game – and that means making Mbappe defend.
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