‘Perhaps the best player in the world right now’: Former Real Madrid boss defends superstar forward
· Yahoo Sports
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Former Real Madrid player and manager Jorge Valdano has come to the defence of Kylian Mbappe at a time when criticism and debate continue to surround the French forward.
The 27-year-old striker has divided opinions with his performances this season and there have been occasions when fans at the Bernabeu have let their feelings known by booing and whistling at him.
With PSG moving closer to another Champions League title without the Frenchman and Real Madrid coming off an inconsistent season, much of the attention has shifted toward Mbappe and his perceived impact on both clubs.
Valdano jumps to Mbappe’s defence
However, speaking on Movistar (h/t MARCA), Valdano addressed the scrutiny that has followed Mbappe since his arrival at Real Madrid in 2024 and pushed back against what he considers excessive criticism of the player.
Valdano has defended Mbappe against criticism. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Valdano pointed to the 27-year-old forward’s achievements with France as evidence of the level of player under discussion.
“He has won a world championship and was runner-up in another, scoring three goals in the final. We are not talking about a fraud, we are talking about perhaps the best player in the world right now,” the Argentine said.
Valdano argued that the narrative surrounding Mbappe’s influence, both at PSG and Real Madrid, has become exaggerated.
Too much responsibility placed on Mbappe
Valdano believes the expectations and blame directed toward the forward have become disproportionate.
Mbappe has finished as the La Liga top scorer for a second season in a row. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
“To place the blame for everything good that happens to Paris Saint-Germain and everything bad that happens to Real Madrid on this man, who is the league’s top scorer, seems like an abuse to me,” he stated.
The former Real Madrid player and executive suggested that Mbappe is being turned into the central explanation for situations that involve many different factors.
Despite the criticism surrounding him, the French superstar continues to produce statistically, remaining one of the team’s leading figures and maintaining the goalscoring level expected of one of football’s biggest stars.
He ended the 2025/26 campaign with 42 goals from 44 games, with 25 of those strikes coming in La Liga, making him the top scorer for the second consecutive season.