Former Real Madrid head coach Fabio Capello has come to the defense of Kylian Mbappe, dismissing critics who questioned the French star's capability at the Bernabeu. After years of speculation and near-signings, Mbappe finally made his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid on a free transfer last summer, signaling what many hope is the beginning of his successful career with the Spanish giants.
Capello, who has managed Real Madrid to notable success, particularly emphasized Mbappe's determination to adapt to his new role as a central number 9. Mbappe himself admitted to hitting "rock bottom" after missing a penalty against Athletic Club during one of his early matches, raising concerns among fans and critics alike about whether he could thrive at the club. Nevertheless, his persistence paid off as he has since turned his performance around, even scoring three times during the 2022 World Cup final.
“He’s a great player. It took him three months to understand what Madrid is. Many people have criticized him, but they have not understood anything and have talked nonsense; now you can see he is extraordinary and of very high level,” Capello remarked, reinforcing Mbappe's potential and current status within the team.
Integral to Mbappe's resurgence has been the guidance of manager Carlo Ancelotti, who Capello staunchly supports. "He is the best coach in the world because he knows how to manage the team," said Capello. Describing Ancelotti's ability to communicate with players, Capello added, "He knows football, he knows how to put the players on the pitch and he sacrifices. He has helped Kylian Mbappe a lot, and it is to his merit.” Capello noted how important it is for coaches to understand both the talent at their disposal and the direction they wish to take the team.
Capello’s comments came just before Real Madrid is set to face Atlético Madrid for the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16, highlighting the intensity and rivalry inherent to these matches. He expressed, “It’s going to be difficult for both of them, as always. A derby is different. Madrid’s habits and qualities can help them,” predicting the significance of such high-stakes encounters.
Looking at the broader picture, Capello is optimistic about Madrid’s chances for the upcoming La Liga title, confidently stating, “The league is in a very interesting moment, both for football and for the fans, and every game counts. I personally think Madrid is going to win it.” Given his experience of clinching the top flight twice as the club’s manager, his optimism is rooted in both historical success and current performance metrics.
On the Barcelona front, Capello did not shy away from addressing the rising star Lamine Yamal, who has drawn comparisons to the legendary Lionel Messi. While acknowledging Yamal's talents, Capello wisely mitigated expectations, stating, “Lamine is doing very great things… but he won’t get to his level because he doesn’t have Messi’s genius,” but still labeled him “a top player.” This statement reflects the wisdom of managing expectations within the competitive world of football.
Capello's remarks support the narrative of perseverance and growth, not just for Kylian Mbappe, but also for Carlo Ancelotti’s management philosophy and the expectations of Real Madrid fans as they eye another remarkable season. The relationship between player and coach, particularly the trust and responsibilities shared, has proven to be pivotal not only to individual player success but to the team's overall performance during this demanding competition.
Indeed, as Real Madrid navigates through the challenges posed by rivals and their quest for silverware, Capello's insights serve as both validation and motivation. With Mbappe's talent and Ancelotti's tactical intelligence steering the ship, it’s clear Real Madrid intends to remain at the forefront of the footballing elite.