Kylian Mbappe believes it is unfair to label Xabi Alonso as a failure at Real Madrid, following his dismissal at the Bernabeu next week. The Frenchman spoke highly of Alonso despite his dismissal, and explained in detail why he feels he will be a ‘great manager’.
Alonso left the club ‘by mutual consent’ last week according to a club statement, but multiple reports have changed the story, with the club losing hope in the Basque manager. One of the problems that allegedly led them to do so was his impeccable relationship with the dressing room. Something Mbappe insults again.t
“Where did you get the idea that there is a problem between the players and the coach? (Slow silence) That Xabi did not succeed is not true. He left before the titles were won, Xabi in my opinion will be a wonderful coach. I had a good relationship with him. He has full details about the game. What happened, it was a decision, now we have a club decision, and we have respect with the team. His first work experience will help him.”
“I have a good relationship with Xabi Alonso” – Mbappe
Mbappe is one of the players who were reportedly present with Alonso’s management. He backed down on whether it was the right decision to fire him.
“I spoke to him when everything happened. I have a good relationship with him. We talked about life, and I wanted to support him. Whether it’s right or wrong is not my responsibility. With the love I have for him, that’s life. I have to support my new coach, Arbeloa, with the same love I have for Xabi. It’s a life decision at a high level, and we have the respect of the football team.”
‘Sometimes 10% is true, 90% is false’ – Mbappe on Alonso reports
It was also stated by Mbappe that the relationship with other players is one of the reasons for Alonso’s exit.
“No… But there are things that are said that are not true. Sometimes 10% are true and 90% are false. But our job is to accept that, but sometimes I say it and it’s not right. When I get a chance to speak, I do…”
The three players who are believed to have disagreed with Alonso are Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Fede Valverde. Mbappe was asked if he felt that the reaction of these players was due to that widespread report.
“It’s possible, it’s possible. That’s why I say I understand everything. There are journalists who do a good job. Sometimes they’re right, and sometimes they’re wrong. That’s why I understand people. When I was a child, everything I heard on TV was true. I understand that people form their opinions based on what they hear. Our job is to bring people back to the board. And to rebuild the Real Madrid family.”
“I can say that it wasn’t an easy week. You don’t have to be a genius to fix that. But that’s how it is. But we have to be ready in this situation, and as a Real Madrid player, we need to be ready for any situation, and show our character. The fans are ready to support us, and we have to be ready to show what we can do.”
Kylian Mbappe on fitness during Albacete Copa shock
Another surprise when they faced Levante was the presence of Mbappe. After playing the last 20 minutes of last Sunday’s Spanish Supercup final, Mbappe was deemed not fit enough to face Albacete in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, and a doubt to face Levante. He was asked to comment on L’Equipe’s report that he played through injury in Saudi Arabia to save Alonso’s career.
“Should I comment on everything the French journalists say? I’m going because I always want to play all the games. I don’t know if I’m playing well or not, but how am I. If I have the opportunity to play all the games, I’ll take it. We made a plan to return to the Super Cup, but it didn’t happen with Atletico. And I was ready to play the last game. I came to support the team and I tried to play as much as I could. It didn’t go well because we didn’t succeed, now I’m back to do things the right way.
Mbappe ended up playing 90 minutes against Levante, seemingly without knee problems. The Supercup was his first appearance in 2026, after missing games against Real Betis and Atletico Madrid.
