Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has stepped forward to defend Barcelona and Spain winger Lamine Yamal, urging fans and critics alike to focus on the young talent’s footballing abilities rather than his personal life. The teenage sensation, who turned 18 in July, has faced a sudden surge of media attention following his meteoric rise in world football.
Mbappe urges respect for young talent
Speaking to Jorge Valdano in an interview set to air on Movistar, Kylian Mbappe highlighted the pressures faced by young players, noting:
“You can see [Lamine] has passion for football and that's the only thing he mustn't lose. The rest is just his life. People talk about his personal life, but I think people should leave him alone.”
Lamine Yamal’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. He won the 2025 Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d'Or ceremony, marking him as the best player under 21 in world football for the second consecutive year. However, fame has brought scrutiny, with some media outlets focusing on the winger’s love life and off-field matters rather than his exceptional talent on the pitch.
Club vs country controversy
The teenage forward has also been caught in a club versus country dilemma. Yamal was initially called up for Spain’s World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Bulgaria but was later withdrawn after protests from Barcelona boss Hansi Flick, who criticized the national team’s handling of his star player.
This controversy follows Yamal’s recent return from a groin injury sustained during Spain duty last month. The injury caused him to miss games against Valencia, Newcastle, Getafe, and Real Oviedo, slowing the momentum he had built at the start of the La Liga season, where he recorded two goals and two assists in his opening three matches.
Kylian Mbappe relates to Lamine Yamal’s journey
Mbappe, who made his professional debut at just 16 with Monaco, empathizes with Lamine Yamal’s situation. Reflecting on his own experience of breaking into the top tier of football at a young age, Kylian Mbappe told Valdano:
“[Lamine] is a great football player, but in life he's an 18-year-old kid. At 18 everyone makes mistakes. He'll live his life. We should only look at what he does on the pitch. The rest isn't important, as long as it isn't anything serious. He's a player with a great talent.”
Mbappe himself has faced similar scrutiny, especially regarding injuries and national team call-ups. This perspective underscores his belief that young players should be allowed to grow and learn from mistakes without undue public pressure.