Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe has spoken to the press ahead of their penultimate Champions League group match at home to RB Salzburg as they look to qualify for the play-off. Fresh off the back of Las Palmas, Mbappe also scored against Celta Vigo and Barcelona in the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup respectively.
That was one of the main talking points of the press conference, where Mbappe discussed the factors that took him from a sobering Clasico against Barcelona in October to leading the charge for Los Blancos against the same foe in Saudi Arabia. He was asked what he would say to his critics now, after his revival in form.
“(Smiles) Nothing, I'm very calm, it's normal. If you are a player like me, with so many expectations, it is natural that people talk when you are not playing well. You can do it badly, but I don't take it personally. In football people say good things when you play well, and when you play bad they say bad things.”
“You always have to be calm and focused on your game, on what you can improve. I knew he could change the situation, he did it and I'm very happy with it, and also because I helped my team the way I did in the last few games.
The French striker admitted earlier this season that he had hit rock bottom after missing a penalty against Athletic Club in Bilbao.
“I had a bad time because I am a player who always wants to do more; giving everything for myself and the team. And if you see that you are not achieving it, it is normal that it affects you. Playing here is a great opportunity, I've always said that. But I knew these things could happen and, as I said, Bilbao was a 'good moment' because it changed my mentality. I couldn't do worse. It could only get better. And this shows that I am a player of great quality, that I can help Real Madrid.”
Mbappe once again cited Real Madrid's defeat to Athletic as a turning point for him.
“It was a mental issue. To pat myself on the back and say: I have to do more. I was physically good, happy with the group, but I had to give more. I knew it. And Bilbao was a… bam. To say to myself: 'now it's time to change this situation, you didn't come to Real Madrid to play badly.' And I changed it, but we have to keep going. Because playing well for a month is easy. What you have to do is always play well. And I'm ready to help my team.”
According to him, he did not play instinctively and now moved more freely on the field.
“I've been thinking a lot. Too many. How to do this, how to move… and if you think so much, you're not playing well. There is nothing wrong with the national team. France is like that and I can't change what happens there. I look forward to returning in March; my love for the national team has not changed. But for now I'm only thinking about Madrid. By giving my best football.”
The French forward is now clearly looking like the Real Madrid leader, with his performance against Las Palmas perhaps the best of his contributions this season. He is in top form with four goals in his last three games and Real Madrid are already top of La Liga.
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