Mbappé tells Vinicius what to remember after Madrid win
MADRID — Kylian Mbappé has urged Vinicius Junior to remain calm and take pride in his ability after Real Madrid’s 4-1 Champions League victory over RB Leipzig. The French forward offered reassurance to his teammate, saying the Brazilian’s frustration reflected his desire to contribute more to the team.
Support for Vinicius
“He needs to stay calm and be proud of who he is. He’s a great player,” Mbappé told Movistar Plus after Wednesday’s match at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Vinicius started on the left before being substituted with around 20 minutes remaining. Mbappé’s comments offered public backing as attention turned to the Brazilian’s performance and apparent disappointment.
Coach José Mourinho also defended Vinicius, saying he was pleased with his contribution. He cautioned against assuming how the player felt, explaining that only Vinicius could speak definitively about his emotions. Mourinho acknowledged that expectations of the forward remained high, particularly when it came to deciding matches individually.
Madrid maintain perfect European start
Mbappé scored and supplied the assist for Arda Güler as Madrid secured their third Champions League victory in three matches. Bernardo Silva and Yan Diomande also scored, while Tidiam Gomis replied for Leipzig.
The result took Mbappé to 12 goals in 12 appearances this season, although he insisted he could contribute more. Madrid’s focus now shifts to Sunday’s Clásico against Barcelona, with the Frenchman stressing the importance of collecting Champions League points to secure a top-eight finish and direct qualification for the last 16.
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