I’ve Scored Goals For Madrid Now Focused On The National Team- Says Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe’s Euro 2024 was hampered by a broken nose, but with that all behind him and enjoying a new lease of life at Real Madrid, he is fully focused on the beginning of the Nations League, the France forward said on Thursday.

Mbappé sustained a nose injury during the team’s opening match of the tournament. Although he only missed one game, the injury and the mask he wore affected his performance, contributing to France’s lackluster showing, even as they advanced to the semi-finals.

Now at Real Madrid after seven seasons with Paris St Germain, his enthusiasm has returned, and he scored to help the club win the UEFA Super Cup and scored twice in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Real Betis.

“In Madrid, it’s going very well, we’ve already won a trophy. It’s getting better and better in terms of performance; I’ve scored goals, now I’m focused on the national team,” Mbappe told a press conference before France hosted Italy on Friday.

“My nose is no longer broken, so it’s already better than at the European Championship. I had tests at Real Madrid, and they told me that it was not necessary to have surgery; I could breathe and sleep well.

“I feel good. Physically and mentally, I’m fine. I am happy.”

While the Nations League may not possess the same allure as the Euros, Mbappé recognizes the difference between doing well and faring badly in this competition, which France won in 2021 before finishing third in their group a year later.

“For us, there is nothing more important than the French national team. We have already won this competition, and there wasn’t an extraordinary reaction,” Mbappe said.

“We won in Milan (the final against Spain) and at the end of the game, I didn’t even feel like I had won a trophy. But, when we lost it, it was the end of the world.”

Mbappe and France faced plenty of criticism after the Euros, but he has learned to ignore the opinions of others.

“I’m at a point in my life and career where I don’t think too much about other people’s evalu Deeations,” he said.

“I arrive, play, and always try to give my best, the best possible version for the national team. I love this shirt. Then in football, you can’t satisfy everyone.”

Along with Italy, France will also face Belgium and Israel in their Nations League group, and manager Didier Deschamps is keen to use the competition to try out new players.

“To make steps forward, we need to see the players in action, and these six games will be useful to many players,” Deschamps said.

“Through this Nations League, it is, in my opinion, necessary to see the greatest number of players.”