Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has admitted that his team’s 4-3 loss to Barcelona in Sunday’s El Clasico was a bitter blow, but he remains defiant about the future.
“Painful, but we will be back. Hala Madrid,” he posted on Instagram shortly after the match, reflecting the mood in the Real Madrid camp.
Mbappe, who has Algerian and Cameroonian heritage through his father and mother respectively, delivered a stunning individual performance at the Montjuic, netting a hat-trick in the thrilling contest.
Despite his heroics, it was not enough to prevent Barcelona from tightening their grip on the La Liga title.
The Catalan giants are now seven points clear of Real with just three games remaining, putting them on the cusp of another domestic crown.
While the loss stings, Mbappe can still take some personal pride from his record-breaking form.
The 26-year-old has now scored 38 goals in 52 matches this season, surpassing the previous Real Madrid debut season record held by Ivan Zamorano, who struck 37 times in 45 games.
It’s a significant milestone for Mbappe, who joined Los Blancos from Paris Saint-Germain in a high-profile transfer last summer.
However, the prospect of a trophyless campaign for Real Madrid now looms large, with the club likely to finish without silverware for the first time in several years.
The pressure is mounting on the squad and the coaching staff, with reports suggesting that Xabi Alonso is set to take over from Carlo Ancelotti at the end of the season.
The Italian is expected to leave the Santiago Bernabeu to take charge of the Brazil national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
