Mbappe descends on Real Madrid teammates after defeat to Benfica in UEFA Champions League

France forward of Cameroonian descent, Kylian Mbappé, did not hold back following Real Madrid’s disappointing 4-2 loss to Benfica in their final UEFA Champions League group-stage match.

The attacker delivered a blunt assessment of his side’s performance at the Estádio da Luz and criticised the overall performance of the team.

The French forward, who scored twice on the night, admitted he struggled to find reasons for Madrid’s collapse and described the defeat as a reflection of a deeper issue within the team.

“I don’t have a clear explanation,” Mbappé told Marca. “We lack consistency in our play; it’s a problem we have to solve.”

Mbappé stressed that inconsistency has no place in a team with ambitions of winning major honours, noting that fluctuating performances continue to undermine Madrid’s progress.

“We can’t be good today and bad tomorrow; that’s not what a championship-winning team does. It hurts a little because we wanted to use February to improve, but we deserve the position we are in,” he noted.

Despite taking his tally to 36 goals for the season, the striker admitted the team’s overall display was well below the required standard. He did not shy away from criticising the manner of the defeat, even as Madrid briefly stayed in contention.

“We played very badly… then, when we were 3-2 down, the fourth goal didn’t change anything. It’s a bit embarrassing, but it doesn’t change anything.”

After the 4-2 defeat to Benfica, Real Madrid missed out on finishing in the top eight to secure automatic qualification to the Round of 16 of this season’s UEFA Champions League.

They will now have to play in the playoffs to fight for a place in the Round of 16.