Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe gave his opinion before the match against Inter in the Champions League.
How are you and the team?
We are happy to be back playing in the Champions League, we are approaching this tournament with a lot of enthusiasm. We are playing well, we feel good, it will be a difficult match, but it is the Champions League and we are simply delighted to be back playing.
People keep saying that you and Vinicius don't get along...
I don't know, it's just one of the millions of opinions that surround Real Madrid, which is the most important club in the world. We only control what we can, certainly not people's opinions. We always try to improve.
How are you working with Mourinho? Do you understand why people are talking about your adaptation with Vinicius?
I have a broad vision, but I don't get into the issue of individuals. I know people like it, that's normal, but I have the same mentality as always: to think as a team, to improve and to be ready for the key moments of the season to win trophies.
In your third season, do you think it could be your best season since you've been here?
I'm thinking about tomorrow's game. Every day is a different experience at Real Madrid. We want to win tomorrow and start the Champions League well.
Are you thinking about the "Ballon d'Or"?
I'm at Real Madrid, the best club in the world, it's normal for a player to be linked to these awards. Of course I think about it, but everyone has the freedom to vote for who will be the best player in the world.
Can Mbappe improve his defense, like Vinicius?
Just me and Vinicius? I don't know, of course we have to improve, it's normal. Everyone is different, I just say I want to do my best, I do a lot of things that others don't do... Me and all the Real Madrid players have to improve to help the defense more and more, but also with the ball at our feet to do things better.
Do you feel like the best in the world?
I always think this, but everyone has their own opinion and I don't think it's a debate. Everyone thinks whatever they want. If you ask me, I think it's a good year to win the Ballon d'Or, but the fans and the journalists can vote for whoever they want.
Some say that the Real Madrid dressing room lacked an authority figure, which is why Mourinho was brought in...
It's difficult to respond to rumours... Everyone knows what Mourinho has done; he knows how to win, he knows how to manage a group, he knows how to motivate everyone to move in the same direction.
Have you seen any improvements in the locker room compared to last year?
There is a different coach, but the atmosphere has always been the same. We are doing well, we have prepared well for the season; we lost against Betis, but we played well. We have to score and that is my responsibility. We have to improve, but we are calm.
Do you prefer a 40-goal Mbappe with trophies or a 60-goal Mbappe without trophies?
I would sign for 30 goals with trophies. But I don't sign for anything. These are absurd debates in my opinion. I know I have to score a lot otherwise we wouldn't win, but I'm not talking about numbers; of course, the only thing I want is to win trophies.
Returning to the World Cup, was losing to Spain harder than not winning the Champions League with Real Madrid?
Two different things. Not winning the World Cup was difficult. For us, it was still a positive tournament, also because it created a connection with the country that liked the way we played. We wanted to win, but it wasn't possible, but of course we were hungry. Also because the day I'm not hungry anymore will be the day I retire.
Do you feel like a leader of France and Real Madrid?
They are different contexts, but I always have to do better in each one of them. In the national team, I am the captain, at Real Madrid I am not. I want to improve for myself as a player, not for Real Madrid or the national team. I have to improve my game, my perception of the moments of the game. I have had very different coaches and this has helped me to understand the game better and to understand how to adapt to each situation. A match contains many matches.
In your two seasons at Real Madrid, PSG won two Champions Leagues... People say the successes came because you left...
This is football, I can't change it. There are so many things to say, but it doesn't change much for me. I don't think it's all about me, I'm calm. These are not analyses, they're just things that sell and I think talking about me, for better or worse, always sells.
