Kylian Mbappe calls Atletico defeat ‘a step backwards’ but refuses to criticise referee

Kylian Mbappe says Real Madrid’s derby defeat by Atletico Madrid was “a step backwards” but has declined to discuss the refereeing controversy surrounding the match.

Speaking to AS while travelling to sign an agreement with his new sports brand, the Swiss company On, Mbappe said Real Madrid had been determined to win but must now focus on recovering their form.

“It was a step backwards. It was extremely difficult,” said the France forward. “We wanted to win and we knew what kind of match was waiting for us. But the team gave everything, and we will continue moving forward because the season is still long. We have to keep going in the right direction.”

Asked whether Real Madrid had been denied a fair chance in the derby because of the decisions made during the game, Mbappe said he did not want to enter the debate.

“I don’t think I have ever been a player who talks much about referees, and I am not going to start now,” he said. “I have thoughts about some things, but I keep them to myself. I have never been a player who behaves in that way, and I am not going to start now.

“The referee is human and makes mistakes. There were mistakes, but I do not want to get into that.”

Mbappe said Real Madrid’s response should come through their performances rather than discussion of the officials.

“We have to work and give more,” he added. “Other people can talk, but we have to give more and work to bring the excitement and the trophies back to Real Madrid.”

Zinedine Zidane’s France appointment

Mbappe also discussed the new era beginning with France under Zinedine Zidane. The former Real Madrid manager has replaced Didier Deschamps, with France facing four Nations League matches.

“It is a new period with a new manager,” said Mbappe. “The Nations League is ahead of us, with four matches, and we will see how it goes. It will be new for everyone because we have all been used to Deschamps. It will be a change for us, but I think everything will go well.”

Zidane was the person who took Mbappe to Valdebebas as a child to explore the possibility of him joining the Real Madrid academy.

“Yes, that was years ago,” Mbappe said. “He was the first person to take me to Real Madrid, to the training ground. I was 13 or 14 at the time, a long time ago.

“Now Zidane is the manager of my country. It is like a wonderful film, but it is real. We have a new project in France and two years to prepare for the Euros. That is what we are working towards now.”

With voting for the Ballon d’Or due to close in a week, Mbappe said he was content with his efforts and would now wait for the outcome.

“I think I have already said everything about this subject,” he said. “People were not happy when I spoke about it too much, but that is the reality.

“I am calm about it, very calm. I have done everything I could and I think I did a good job. Now we have to wait.”