‘Too many overrated players’ – Dugarry slams Real Madrid and Spanish media over Kylian Mbappe

France World Cup winner Christophe Dugarry has launched a fierce defence of Kylian Mbappé, accusing sections of the Spanish media and Real Madrid of unfairly pinning the club’s struggles on the French superstar.

Speaking on a podcast hosted by former international teammate Jérôme Rothen, Dugarry argued that the narrative surrounding Madrid’s inconsistent campaign has become overly simplistic, with the French international of Cameroonian descent portrayed as the central problem in a team riddled with broader structural flaws.

“I find it quite surprising that Real Madrid’s problems are solely due to Mbappé. At some point, we have to stop exaggerating,” Dugarry said, clearly frustrated by the direction of the criticism.

He went further, suggesting that if Madrid truly doubt their marquee signing, they should cut ties rather than scapegoat him. “If the Spanish don’t want him anymore, they should send him back. Maybe he’ll leave and make someone else happy, I don’t know. But I find it quite surprising, honestly.”

Beyond defending Mbappé, Dugarry questioned the overall calibre of the squad assembled at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Drawing on his own experience at elite institutions such as Barcelona, he implied that wearing the shirt of a global powerhouse demands a standard that not every current Madrid player consistently meets. “I think there are too many players at this Real Madrid who aren’t Real Madrid players. They’re overrated, I’m sorry,” he stated.

Dugarry did not shy away from identifying individuals, referencing Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Güler, Fede Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni among those he believes have yet to justify their elevated reputations. He also questioned defensive options, pointing to Raúl Asensio’s rapid rise amid injuries and David Alaba’s recurring fitness issues.

For Dugarry, the issue is not a single forward’s form but a culture of inconsistency. “You can’t be at a club like this for two, three, or four years and always play at the same level, with one good game, one mediocre game,” he said. “There are too many inconsistent players.”