Kylian Mbappé has reflected on Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid. Speaking from Zurich, the French forward discussed the derby setback, the refereeing, Zinedine Zidane’s arrival as France coach and the Ballon d’Or.
The defeat against Atletico has inevitably left its mark on Real Madrid. After several encouraging weeks, José Mourinho’s side suffered a major setback in the Madrid derby. Kylian Mbappé did not try to play down the significance of the result.
“Yes, yes, it’s a step backwards. It’s very difficult because we wanted to win and we knew what kind of game we were going to face,” the French striker admitted.
Despite the disappointment, however, Mbappé refuses to dramatize the situation and believes Real Madrid still have plenty of time to respond.
“The team gave everything and we have to keep moving forward because there is still a lot of time left this season. We have to stay on the right path.”
For Mbappé, Real Madrid’s response must now come on the pitch and on the training ground. The Frenchman believes the players have to take responsibility and work even harder to restore a positive atmosphere around the club.
“We have to work and do more. Other people can talk, but we have to do more and work so that the excitement returns to Real Madrid and the trophies come back.”
Mbappé refuses to fuel the refereeing controversy
The refereeing in the derby also sparked plenty of debate. Several decisions were questioned by Real Madrid, but Mbappé refused to get drawn into the controversy.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been a player who talks a lot about referees. I’m not going to start now. I think certain things, but I keep them to myself.”
The France captain did, however, acknowledge that he believed mistakes had been made during the game.
🚨🗣️ Kylian Mbappé on the Derby referee: “I don’t think I’ve ever been a player who talks much about the referee. I’m not going to start now.
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) September 21, 2026
I have my thoughts, but I keep them to myself. The referee is human, he makes mistakes, and those were mistakes, but I don’t want to get… pic.twitter.com/L0uInMniFw
“The referee is human, he makes mistakes, and they were mistakes, but I don’t want to get into that.”
Zidane, a very special story
Mbappé also spoke about Zinedine Zidane taking charge of the French national team. It represents a major change for a generation of French players who had only known Didier Deschamps as head coach.
“It’s a new chapter with a new coach. It will be new for everyone because we’ve all only known Deschamps. It will be a change for us, but I think everything is going to go very well.”
Mbappé’s relationship with Zidane, however, goes back many years. When the forward was still a teenager, the former Real Madrid legend invited him to visit the club’s training facilities at Valdebebas.
“He was the first person who came to get me and took me to Real Madrid’s training ground. I was 13 or 14 years old. That was a long time ago. And now he’s my national-team coach. It’s like something out of a movie.”
Mbappé added that France are now entering a new cycle as they begin preparing for their next major objective.
“It’s real. We are starting a new process with France. We have two years to prepare for the Euros, and we are already focused on that.”
“I’ve done everything I could”
Finally, Mbappé was asked about the Ballon d’Or. Once again, the Real Madrid star appeared calm about the situation.
“I think I’ve already said everything about it. People weren’t happy when I talked too much about the subject, but that’s how it is. I’m relaxed about it. I’ve done everything I could, and I think I did it well. Now we just have to wait.”
Mbappé’s comments sum up his current state of mind: disappointed by the derby defeat, but already focused on what comes next with both Real Madrid and the French national team.
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