Thierry Henry backs Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe amid criticism

Mbappe has received mixed feedback from fans and pundits alike at Los Blancos.

Legendary Frenchman Thierry Henry has defended Kylian Mbappe and responded to those who have criticized the Real Madrid youngster.

Since leaving PSG for Real Madrid during the 2024 summer transfer window, Mbappe has been the subject of considerable scrutiny. Although he has bagged 10 goals in 17 league games for Carlo Ancelotti’s team, the attacker has not consistently displayed his finest form for Los Blancos, despite expectations that he would take LaLiga by storm.

Because Vinicius Jr. is in Madrid’s starting lineup, Mbappe has also had to adjust to a new setup and play a more central role rather than out wide. Playing as a No. 9 has exposed Mbappe’s game’s flaws that were not evident in Paris, according to Henry, who believes the player has been harshly assessed thus far in the Spanish city.

French sports journalist Vincent Duluc criticized Kylian Mbappé, pointing out that while the Frenchman is yet to win a Ballon d’Or, Lionel Messi had already won four by the age of 26. 😬🏅How many Ballon d’Ors will Kylian Mbappé win during his career ⁉️👀 pic.twitter.com/sQ81Qq8ACJ

— Pubity Sport (@pubitysport) January 14, 2025

The legend of France and Arsenal Thierry Henry told Rothen S’enflamme on RMC Sport:

“If it were someone else, we would say that he scores goals. Now we are judging based on what he has done before. It is completely normal, when you are not used to it, to find yourself in a certain situation where people can see your weaknesses. Whereas before we never saw them. We know very well that he is one of the best players in the world. And I repeat, but let’s be happy that he is French. Now, we have to know if I am being asked the question of the player or the human being. And that is super important because at some point you have to sort things out. Who knows what it is like to always be number one? Not many people.

“Human beings, from time to time, yes, they can be affected and that’s completely normal. And that, for me, is completely normal. At one point, everyone thought he was a robot. He’s not a robot, he’s a human being who has emotions like everyone else. And from time to time, he’s going to get angry and throw up his arms.”

When Real Madrid and Mbappe return to action on Thursday, they will be looking to defeat Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey round of 16 at the Santiago Bernabeu in order to recover from a crushing defeat at the hands of Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final last time out.

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