Now enjoying his time at his childhood club, Kylian Mbappe revealed the two Ballon d’Or legends who inspired him to become a Real Madrid fan.
From the moment he burst onto the global stage, Kylian Mbappe has been closely linked with Real Madrid. Long before fulfilling his dream of joining the Spanish giants in 2024, the French star was already captivated by the club—thanks to two Ballon d’Or-winning legends who shaped his fandom.
Real Madrid have seen countless stars throughout its history, and that allure captivated Mbappe as a child. In an interview with La Sexta’s Ana Pastor, the French forward revealed what sparked his devotion to the Spanish giants over any other club.
“Because of (Zinedine) Zidane. As a Frenchman, he’s an idol. I started as a fan of Zizou when he signed with the Galacticos. It’s the best club in the world, it has an aura that others don’t have,” Mbappe recalled, referring to the early 2000s era that featured stars like Zidane, David Beckham, Luis Figo, and Ronaldo Nazario.
His admiration for Real Madrid only grew stronger after Cristiano Ronaldo joined the club: “When Cristiano arrived, my other idol, I followed all their matches. Even if you’re not a Madrid fan, you watch their games because it’s the biggest club in the world. At first, it was a dream, then a goal, and now a reality.”
Zidane’s heroics in the 2001–02 Champions League captured the imagination of a young Mbappe, and years later, Cristiano Ronaldo’s dominance helped cement Real Madrid’s appeal. Now, as a Madrid player himself, Mbappe hopes to build a legacy of his own, just like his idols.
Mbappe and the missed chance to join Real Madrid’s academy
Mbappe joined AS Monaco’s academy in 2013 at the age of 14 and made his professional debut at just 16. But before that, he had a brief opportunity to join Real Madrid’s youth setup after a trial with the club at age 13.
In the same interview, Mbappe reflected on the week he spent at Valdebebas, the club’s training facility, and why he didn’t make the move at the time: “I was 13 years old and didn’t speak Spanish. I could only talk with Zidane. It was an unforgettable moment to spend a week at Valdebebas. I knew that one day I would come back here.”
He also explained why he ultimately chose not to stay. “There was a chance to sign for Madrid, but with my family, it wasn’t the right time. Madrid wanted me to come, but I wasn’t ready at 13. It was better to stay in my country with my friends and family. I think it was a good decision,” he concluded.
