Kylian Mbappé Defends Real Madrid’s Defense Ahead of Champions League Opener Against Inter Milan

Real Madrid Opens Champions League Campaign Against Inter Milan

Real Madrid begins its European campaign on Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabéu, hosting Italian powerhouse Inter Milan in a high-profile group-stage fixture. The tournament holds added significance this season, as the 2026–27 Champions League final is scheduled to take place across the city at the Estadio Metropolitano.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Mbappé addressed the team’s readiness for the continental competition. According to match previews and reporting from El Periódico, the French forward expressed enthusiasm for the opening fixture. “We are happy to return to the Champions League,” Mbappé said through official club translations. “We start at home and that is an extra motivation. It is a demanding match, but it is the Champions League and we really like playing it.”

Mbappé Challenges Critics Over Defensive Work Rate

The conversation quickly turned to the tactical shape of Mourinho’s side and persistent questions regarding the defensive tracking of Real Madrid’s marquee attacking talents. When asked specifically about whether he and Vinícius Júnior contribute enough defensively, Mbappé responded with pointed friction.

“Only I and Vinícius have to improve in defense? I don’t know, of course we have to improve,” Mbappé stated, as reported by El Periódico. “It is natural that we want to improve as the players we are. I can play the fool and say that I score more goals than them and they must improve in that. But it is clear that I and all the players have to improve to help in defense.”

The forward also dismissed persistent media narratives regarding his on-field partnership with Vinícius. Pointing to the weight of expectations at the club, Mbappé emphasized that individual synergy is secondary to collective success. “It is one opinion of the millions of opinions there are about Real Madrid, the biggest club in the world,” he noted. “Vinícius and I have the same objective, which is to win titles. I have a longer vision and look at the eleven. I am not dwelling on this.”

Balón d’Or Ambitions and Goalscoring Targets

Addressing individual accolades, Mbappé offered a characteristically direct assessment of his standing in world football and his prospects for the upcoming Balón d’Or. While acknowledging that voting rests in the hands of journalists, the French international made no secret of his personal standards.

“I always consider myself the best in football,” Mbappé told media outlets, as documented by El Periódico. “It is a personal thing. Not everyone has to think like me. It is a good year to win it, but it is the journalists who are going to vote. When you play for the best team in the world, Real Madrid, people associate you with awards.”

On the eternal debate between personal goal tallies and team silverware, Mbappé rejected the premise of compromise. When questioned about whether he would prefer scoring fewer goals in exchange for collective trophies, the striker was definitive: “I’ll take 30 goals with titles. But it is an absurd debate whether I reach 40 or not. If I score 40 and we are fighting for La Liga, the Champions League, or the Copa [del Rey], do I have to stop scoring goals? I am not going to stop scoring goals because I always want to score goals and win titles.”

Assessing Mourinho’s Impact and the Dressing Room Atmosphere

The arrival of José Mourinho has dominated Spanish sports media headlines following a turbulent start to the domestic campaign, which included a recent defeat to Real Betis. Mbappé defended the veteran Portuguese manager and rejected claims of underlying friction within the squad’s changing room.

“It is difficult to answer a question that starts with ‘they say…’,” Mbappé remarked, addressing rumors of unrest highlighted by El Periódico. “What Mourinho brings now is what he has brought his entire career. He knows how to win, he knows how to keep a group together, and he knows how to motivate an entire club to go in the same direction and win matches.”

Mbappé accepted responsibility for the team’s recent offensive inefficiencies in domestic play. “What does an improvement in the dressing room mean? It is the same as last year, only there is a different coach. We prepared in the best possible way. We lost against Betis, but we played well. We only failed when it came to scoring goals, and that is my responsibility.”

Next Steps in the European Campaign

Real Madrid’s immediate focus turns to Tuesday night’s fixture at the Santiago Bernabéu, where Mourinho’s side will look to establish an early foothold in the league phase of the expanded Champions League format. Following the European opener, Los Blancos will return domestic attention to La Liga fixtures as they navigate a demanding autumn schedule across multiple competitions.