Tag: Mbappe

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said he wants striker Kylian Mbappe to focus on scoring goals over pressing to help the team.

The Spanish and European champions have not been at their peak this season and are still searching for the best way to incorporate the former Paris Saint-Germain superstar following his arrival this summer.

Madrid lost on the road at Lille in their last Champions League outing and host Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday in a rematch of last season’s final, which they won to earn a record-extending 15th European crown.

 “I prefer that (Mbappe) scores goals than he presses,” Ancelotti told a news conference. “The central striker position in our team has not changed, I ask him the same I asked of Karim (Benzema, who left in 2023).

 “To be well positioned and to be ready every time we get the ball back to make a rapid transition.”

Mbappe has scored eight goals for Madrid in 12 games across all competitions this season, compared to Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski’s 14 in 12 appearances.

The forward drew criticism in his homeland for not playing in France’s recent Nations League games after recovering from a thigh injury.

Swedish media reported he is being investigated over an alleged rape in Stockholm following a trip there during the international break, with Mbappe labelling the reports as “fake news”.

One of the knock-on effects of Mbappe’s arrival at Madrid is a more defensive role for Jude Bellingham, who was Los Blancos’ key attacking figure last season.

Read Also: Prosecutor confirms ‘rape’ probe without naming Mbappe

The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder is yet to score for the club this season in nine games, after netting 10 in his first 10 appearances last year.

 “We’re satisfied with his work… because he works a lot on the pitch, he’s always there, he competes, fights, sacrifices himself,” said Ancelotti.

“The truth is he hasn’t scored the goals he did last year, but the surprise isn’t this year, it’s last year, he scored a heap of goals that no-one expected…

 “We’ve always scored goals and we’ll always score goals, we have players with great attacking talent up front… so for us at this moment, the work he is doing is much more important for us.”

Ancelotti said Madrid’s array of attacking stars, also including Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes, means the team enjoy end-to-end matches.

 “I want (rock and roll football) because I have players with these characteristics,” continued Ancelotti.

 “We find it harder to play a game based on possession and control because we don’t have players with characteristics to play in reduced spaces.

 “A back and forth game suits us well, but we’re focussed on defending better as we did very well last year.”

A Swedish prosecutor said a rape investigation had been opened without mentioning Kylian Mbappe, following media reports that the Real Madrid and France star was the suspect following a visit with friends to Stockholm.

Swedish newspapers Aftonbladet and Expressen and public broadcaster SVT on Tuesday reported that 25-year-old Mbappe was the target of the investigation, following his two-day visit to the Nordic capital last week.

“In response to media reports about a suspected rape in Stockholm, the prosecutor can confirm that a criminal report has been submitted to the police,” Sweden’s Prosecution Authority said in a statement.

It said the alleged crime occurred at a hotel on October 10, but did not name a suspect and said no further information could be shared for the moment.

Read Also: Mbappe under fire for skipping France duty while fit to play for Real Madrid

According to a filing with the Stockholm district court reviewed by AFP, it took place at the upscale Bank Hotel in central Stockholm.

The names of the plaintiff and the suspect were both redacted in the document.

Expressen on Monday identified Mbappe as the suspect, citing anonymous sources, while Aftonbladet and SVT said Tuesday they had also obtained information confirming Mbappe was the suspect.

Expressen said Mbappe was “reasonably suspected” of rape and sexual assault, the lower of two degrees of suspicion in the Swedish legal system.

Kylian Mbappe stayed in the upscale Bank Hotel during his visit to Stockholm

According to the Prosecution Authority, the higher degree of suspicion, “probable cause,” is usually a prerequisite for a suspect to be remanded in custody prior to a formal charge.

Lawyer Petra Lund, who represents the plaintiff, told AFP on Tuesday that she “could not give any comment at this stage”.

Contacted by AFP on Monday, Mbappe’s entourage said it had no knowledge of a legal complaint made against him.

The French international was not selected for his country’s latest round of Nations League matches, and so visited the Swedish capital with a group of people from last Wednesday.

According to Aftonbladet, they dined at a restaurant before going to a nightclub. Mbappe and the group left Sweden on Friday.

Aftonbladet said the complaint was filed on Saturday after the alleged victim had sought medical attention.

Expressen reported Tuesday that police had seized some clothing as evidence, saying it consisted of women’s underwear, a pair of black trousers and a black top.

Photographs showed police officers leaving the Bank Hotel with brown bags on Monday.

Mbappe claimed in a post on X on Monday there was a link between the report and the hearing before a French league committee over his bitter dispute with his former club Paris Saint-Germain over what he says is 55 million euros ($60 million) in unpaid wages.

 “FAKE NEWS !!!!. It’s becoming so predictable, on the eve of the hearing, as if by chance,” he wrote.

After the hearing, a source close to Qatari-owned PSG said the league would give its decision on October 25.

Mbappe’s entourage said in a statement to AFP on Monday that the accusations were “completely false and irresponsible” and added that “all necessary legal action will be taken to re-establish the truth”.

Mbappe joined Madrid this summer after seven years at PSG and has up until now stayed clear of scandal in his private life.

The forward, who is known for carefully managing his image through a close network of family, lawyers and spokespeople, has become one of the world’s highest paid players after a stellar career that began when he was barely into his teens.

A 19-year-old Mbappe joined Pele as the only teenager to score in a World Cup final when France beat Croatia 4-2 to win the 2018 edition and he was voted Best Young Player of the tournament.

Four years later in Qatar, he scored a hat-trick in the final against Argentina but finished on the losing side as Lionel Messi’s side won in a penalty shootout.

• Peter Emerokwam 

Kylian Mbappe’s financial dispute with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has taken a new turn, as the French Football League’s (LFP) Legal Commission recommended mediation between the two parties. 

This comes after a two-hour hearing where Mbappe sought to reclaim a significant amount of money, following his departure from PSG in June 2024.

Mbappe, who chose to bring his case to the LFP instead of a court, has the option to follow the commission’s advice, drop his claim, or take the matter to formal legal action. Should he pursue a legal route, the issue could take over two years to resolve in an Employment Tribunal, which will consider the views of the LFP’s Legal Commission.

Read Also: Mbappe raring to go after Euros disappointment 

At the center of the conflict is a verbal agreement made between Mbappe and PSG in August 2023. Mbappe had agreed not to leave the club on a free transfer without compensating them, promising to waive two loyalty bonuses—a €30 million payment and a €25 million signing-on fee, totaling €55 million net (€68 million gross for PSG). PSG later drafted formal documents to confirm this agreement, but Mbappe refused to sign, as he was reconsidering his future with the club.

Mbappe ultimately left for Real Madrid on a free transfer, and he has since been seeking the funds that PSG claims he waived. PSG insists that the verbal agreement is binding and that Mbappe publicly acknowledged it multiple times. For now, both sides await the outcome of the mediation process.

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.

Mbappe damaged his nose in the team’s first game of the tournament and although he missed only one match, the injury, and mask he had to wear clearly had an impact on his performances as France failed to impress despite reaching 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 netted 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 host Italy.

“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 can breathe and sleep well.

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

The Nations League may not hold the same appeal as the Euros, but Mbappe knows 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.

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“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 the 26-year-old 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 evaluations,” 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.

The nominations for the 2024 Ballon d’Or award have been announced  with   a host of Real Madrid players  dominating the list.

Indeed, Los Blancos have a host of players nominated for the prestigious honour, which for the first time will be awarded by France Football and UEFA in partnership.

Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr. are unsurprisingly nominated for the top individual honour in football and are among the frontrunners to win in.

Meanwhile, Federico Valverde also makes the list of Top 30 nominees, along with Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos, who announced his retirement from the game this past summer.

Dani Carvajal, one of the outside favourites for the honour, makes the list after enjoying a tremendously successful year wherein he tasted glory with both Real Madrid and the Spanish national team.In addition, new signing Kylian Mbappe and Antonio Rudiger also find themselves on the list for the Ballon d’Or nominations for 2024.

Mbappe enjoyed a successful season with PSG domestically but faltered in Europe at the semi-final stages while France also made it only as far as the final-four in the Euros.

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They will be going up against other top players like Rodri, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and Ruben Dias, all of Manchester City.

Bayer Leverkusen veteran Granit Xhaka has also earned himself a nomination after his stellar displays last season.

Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez is also in the running after winning the Copa America with La Albiceleste and finishing fourth in the Premier League.

Athletic Club and Spain winger Nico Williams is also nominated after winning the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Euro 2024.

New Barcelona signing Dani Olmo also makes the list, as well as future Real Madrid target Florian Wirtz.

Meanwhile, England trio Lauren James, Lucy Bronze and Lauren Hemp are among the nominees for the women’s Ballon d’Or, awarded to the best female footballer in 2024.

All three players played in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final, where the Lionesses were beaten by Spain.

Spain World Cup winner and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati, who won the award in 2023, is also on the list of 30.

There are four Chelsea players – Germany midfielder Sjoeke Nusken, Colombia striker Mayra Ramirez as well as Bronze, who left Barcelona when her contract expired in June, and James.

Japan midfielder Yui Hasegawa, who plays for Manchester City, is also on the list along with Spain and Arsenal forward Mariona Caldentey.

Manchester United youngsters Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho have both been nominated for the Kopa Trophy alongside Euro 2024 winner Lamine Yamal.

The X account of Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe has been hacked, resulting in a series of strange messages. 

Mbappe scored once in his first three games, has been one of the most high-profile signings in recent football history.

However, off the pitch, he faced an unexpected issue with his social media account being compromised by an unknown individual. 

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The hacker’s apparent motive was related to cryptocurrency, and the account posted bizarre updates, including claims that Mbappe would join Manchester United in 2028.

Additional posts mentioned Tottenham and requested to join Angry Ginge’s Pro Clubs team, Girth and Turf, which includes notable figures like Luke Littler and Wayne Rooney. 

The account also quoted various Twitter users and began promoting a cryptocurrency scam, a common tactic among high-profile account breaches.

The tweets were eventually removed, suggesting that Mbappe and his team had regained control of the verified account.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is not worried about Kylian Mbappe’s start at the club after the France striker failed to score in his opening two league games.

Mbappe, 25, joined the LaLiga and Champions League winners as a free agent from Paris St Germain in June, bringing an end to a transfer saga that had rumbled on for years.

Despite making a promising start by scoring on his debut to help Real earn a 2-0 win over Europa League champions Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup final two weeks ago, Mbappe has yet to find the net in two LaLiga games with Real and struggled in a draw at Mallorca and in a dour home win against Real Valladolid.

“His last goal was on August 14^th . It has only been two weeks since that is no reason to worry. Neither we are not worried as a club, nor him,” Ancelotti told a press conference, ahead of tonight’s LaLiga match at Las Palmas. “He is very happy here, delighted, sure he wants to score in the next game. So does Vinicius, who has yet to score this season and I don’t see him worried either.

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“(Mbappe) is progressing really well, I see him doing better every day, excited, motivated, training well. He is very humble. I think his adaptation is going really well.”

Ancelotti said a slow start was to be expected after key midfielder Toni Kroos retired, while they are also trying to fit Mbappe into a new centre-forward role.

“Every year has its own challenge because there are changes in the structure of a team, the system that is implemented,” Ancelotti said.

“Last year we also needed time at the start of the season, we needed a late goal to get a result in many games. It will take some time until we find our mojo and the best version of ourselves but it’s a normal thing.

“I didn’t ask Toni Kroos to be Aurelien Tchouameni last year, just as I won’t ask Tchouameni to be Kroos. Each player has his own characteristics. The team has to adapt to the characteristics that Tchouameni has, which are very important for us.”

Football fans in Nigeria and beyond can catch Kylian Mbappe’s highly anticipated first official game at the Santiago Bernabeu for Real Madrid on StarTimes this weekend.

The French star, who recently made a sensational move from PSG, will look to mark his home debut with a goal and a victory against Real Valladolid tomorrow.

Although Mbappe has already played in two official games for Real Madrid, including the UEFA Super Cup and a La Liga away match against Real Mallorca, he is yet to experience the electric Bernabeu atmosphere as a home player.

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Last weekend, Mbappe failed to score as Real Madrid drew 1-1 with Mallorca, but he will be eager to make a lasting impression on his home debut.

Real Madrid will aim to return to winning ways in La Liga when they host Real Valladolid at the Santiago Bernabeu tomorrow.

The hosts have a dominant record against Valladolid, having won their last five encounters without conceding a goal.

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe is still yet to receive some of his salary from the last three months of his Paris Saint-Germain contract.

 The matter looks set to end in a legal battle, with PSG claiming they are not due the 25-year-old all of the money.

It is believed PSG are referring to a verbal agreement with Mbappe that he would ‘not leave PSG for free’ and would pardon some of his remaining salary before his contract expired. However Mbappe’s camp has denied any such thing, but has sent PSG written warnings over the matter, threatening legal action.

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Previous reports have noted that Mbappe was not paid for April, May and June of his deal, and part of an €80m signing bonus. Le Monde (via MD) have explained that Mbappe’s legal team have contacted the legal bureau at the LFP (French League Federation), FFF (French Football Federation) and UEFA over the matter, claiming he is due €55m for the above payments, and an ‘ethical bonus’ too.

The legal battle could rumble on for years, with the key factor depending on testimony from Mbappe and the PSG executives. Still last year, Neymar Junior appeared in court over salary disputes with Barcelona dating back six years.