'Mbappe would have been the worm in the apple at Real Madrid'
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 11 Aug 2022 11:10 BST
- 3 min read
Kylian Mbappe’s failed move to Real Madrid from PSG was mourned at the beginning of the summer transfer window by those in Spain, but critics are starting to come around to the idea that Los Blancos may be better without the France international.
Mbappe had been widely expected to move to the Bernabeu on a free transfer this summer but instead chose to sign a new three-year contract with the Parc des Princes side.
It was a decision that was greeted with howls of anger from Spain, particularly as it was made on the eve of the Champions League final.
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Real Madrid, though, went on to win that match against Liverpool and then picked up the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday by defeating Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 thanks to goals from David Alaba and Karim Benzema.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have been forged on a strong team bond, and though the goals of Benzema have been key, there is a growing belief in the Spanish capital that Mbappe might have destabilised the balance that they have found.
Mbappe no longer wanted
This is typified by the words of AS journalist Tomas Roncero when speaking to Cadena SER.
“The key to the present and future success of Real Madrid is the refusal of Mbappe to come,” he said. “In this season, Mbappe would have been the worm in the apple because he would have made it complicated in the dressing room. The team would have played for him. He would have been the star and the rest of the players would have revolved around him. We would be speaking only of Mbappe.
“Now, we speak of Real Madrid, not only of one player. There’s a future Ballon d’Or winner in Karim Benzema who has a lost profile, who is a player like any other. Thibaut Courtois is the best goalkeeper in the world, Eder Militao is an impressive central defender and Luka Modric has eternal youth. We are the best!”
Meanwhile, Mbappe’s PSG are among the teams aiming to dethrone Real Madrid from their status as Champions League holders, with the rivalry between these two clubs as intense as ever.
