The time has come for Kylian Mbappé, expected this Saturday evening at the Bernabeu for his very first Clasico. The clash has been underway for a long time in Spain – especially since the two clubs concerned are two lengths apart in the standings – but the mentions of the captain of the Blues in the Iberian press on this great day are not necessarily legion.
The leading sports daily Marca highlights two elements on both sides: Vinicius Jr and Yamine Lamal. A choice shared by the Catalan media Mundo Deportivo which takes care to present the two men as the natural leaders of their respective teams. Favorite for the 2024 Ballon d’Or which will be awarded on Monday and still sparkling this week in the Champions League, the Auriverde striker from Real completely eclipses his new French teammate.
“A difficult adaptation” underlined
Asked about the subject by L’Equipe, RAC1 journalist Roger Saperas provides elements of explanation regarding this relative downgrading of the Bondy prodigy. “ Mbappé is experiencing a difficult adaptation, but it is normal after so many years in the same club. (…) I have no doubt that he is one of the best players in the world. We know he has the quality, but we haven’t seen it yet… »
And adding in the perspective of the Clasico: “ The fear that Mbappé could provide was counterbalanced by the appearance of Lamine Yamal, who, for the moment, is the more decisive of the two. (…) A player like him (Mbappé, editor’s note) cannot generate indifference, but for the sake of performance, for now the attention is more on Vinicius. »
