Kylian Mbappe gave an interview to L’Equipe in which he looks back on his 10 years as a professional footballer and talks about his early days at Real Madrid. The Frenchman is more honest than ever and shows his ambition to succeed in the white shirt.
Does Kylian Mbappe have the right to fail?
“No. But that’s why they hold you in high regard as well. Because you accept all this, you’re resilient and you always want to win. I’ve never wanted to accept failure, so I don’t mind being criticised for it. I’m very demanding of myself, more demanding than most, so I take it very calmly.”
Can money destroy everything?
The more money you have, the more problems you have. There are people who don’t see that your life is changing; they want to keep the image of when you were a child, when you were with them… But you are not the same anymore. You have responsibilities, commitments, a job and accounts to render. If someone accompanies you on the road, it is a beautiful story. It is good to grow up, to reach the top, with the same family and a foundation of trust. But sometimes it doesn’t work, and you have to know how to say it. That doesn’t mean that the bond is broken, but that this relationship doesn’t work. It’s harder said than done, and it’s a problem that many sportsmen and women and personalities face.
I’m fatalistic about the world of football, but not about life. Life is magnificent. Football is what it is. I like to say that people who go to the stadium are lucky to come just to see a show and not know what goes on behind the scenes. Honestly, if I didn’t have this passion, the world of football would have disgusted me a long time ago.
Does Mbappe have an entourage around him?
No, no. You’re never king. I was lucky enough to make a lot of money, but I never felt like I was considered king. That they gave me free rein. That they said yes to everything. When you have to say no, you have to say no… My family members say more “no” than “yes”. (Laughs). I’m always surprised when they say “yes”.
Hasn’t married young: Is she unbalanced or not?
“No, because I chose it. Everyone builds their life differently. I did it thinking that football was my life and that I wanted to make the most of my career. Maybe I’m wrong… (smiles). Maybe I’m right. Only the future will tell me, or God in due time. When you choose, the result is easy to accept.”
Can you imagine having children who hate football?
I hope so (laughs). But I think, unfortunately, a ball will never be far away… In any case, I would never recommend my son to get into the world of football.
The last time he cried…
“The last time I cried about football… I only cry when I’m injured. I guess defeats, in one way or another, you deserve them. Nobody deserves an injury. You have more or less influence on defeats. But the last time I almost cried about football was when we lost with PSG against Manchester City, in the second leg of the semi-final (of the Champions League, in 2021). I wasn’t playing. So I almost cried because… you’re useless. On the bench, it was like a VIP contest winner. At those moments, what differentiates you from the millions of people watching you on television? Nothing.”
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