“I score more goals than the two you mentioned,” Kylian Mbappé dismisses comparisons with Dembélé and Raphinha over defensive work

September 7, 2026

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Key Takeaways

Kylian Mbappé rejected comparisons to Ousmane Dembélé and Raphinha, pointing out: “I can play the fool and tell you that I score more goals than the two you mentioned and that they have to score more goals to be like me.”
Mbappé took personal responsibility for missing chances in Real Madrid’s 1-0 La Liga defeat against Real Betis while insisting the squad’s internal atmosphere remains calm and positive.
The French star praised José Mourinho’s winning mentality and ability to rally the club, stating that “what Mourinho has brought all his career, is a guy who knows how to win.”

Defensive duties and comparisons with rivals

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé addressed media questions regarding his defensive commitment and pressure without the ball, specifically responding to comparisons drawn with Paris Saint-Germain attacker Ousmane Dembélé and Barcelona winger Raphinha. While the Frenchman acknowledged that Real Madrid must improve defensively as a collective, he pushed back against suggestions that his playing profile should mirror that of others.

Addressing the comparison directly, Mbappé noted that contrasting players across different setups is unproductive. “Of course we have to improve and I think it is completely natural as each player is, but I can play the fool and tell you that I score more goals than the two you mentioned and that they have to score more goals to be like me,” Mbappé said. “Everyone is different, but I want to do things intelligently and say that, of course, I have to improve and everything, but I don’t like to compare because I think that I do many things that the others don’t do, but if we enter into this topic it is an endless debate.”

He conceded that the squad must find a balance to limit chances conceded while also capitalizing in possession. “I agree that of course, I and the Madrid players have to improve in this aspect to help the defense and so that we can concede fewer chances and fewer goals,” the forward explained. “I also think that with the ball we have to manage things better to create more scoring chances, do things well, but it is the life of a top-level team that wants to be the best in the world. There are many things that you have to improve every day.”

Atmosphere and bounce back after defeat

Following a recent setback in La Liga, where Real Betis defeated Real Madrid 1-0, Mbappé dismissed claims of dressing room instability or negative changes under new head coach José Mourinho compared to the previous campaign under Álvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso. He accepted responsibility for the team’s finishing issues in that match.

“I think the atmosphere has always been the same. We are doing very well,” Mbappé stated regarding the squad environment. “Of course we lost against Betis, but I think we played well. The only thing we failed at is the most important thing in football, scoring goals, but I think that is my responsibility to score goals. As for the rest, there is calm in the team, because I think we are in a process that is positive.”

When questioned about talk surrounding Mourinho’s arrival and the authority the Portuguese tactician brings, Mbappé remained focused on his manager’s proven track record: “What Mourinho brings now, what Mourinho knows how to bring and what Mourinho has brought all his career, is a guy who knows how to win, who knows how to have a group around him and who knows how to give motivation to an entire club.”

Goals, trophies and talk from the outside

Mbappé was also asked about a supposed dilemma between hitting high scoring numbers or prioritizing trophies, firmly rejecting the premise that a player must settle for one or the other during a competitive season.

“If I have to choose between the two, I choose 40 with titles, but I am not going to stop after scoring a number of goals. I always want to score goals and win titles. In the end, for me it is not a debate, you don’t have to choose. You can do both,” he stressed.

Finally, the Real Madrid attacker brushed aside narratives attempting to link Paris Saint-Germain winning two Champions League titles over the past two seasons directly to his departure from the French capital. “It is a football analysis. I cannot change it,” Mbappé remarked. “To be honest, I don’t really care. I know how to analyze football, I know why. I don’t think I know everything about football, but I know more than many people, so I am very calm about that. In the end, sometimes they are not analyses, they are things that sell, that make people talk about you, and I think talking about me sells a lot.”