Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has offered a measured response to the controversy surrounding the officiating in the recent Madrid derby, acknowledging that “mistakes were made” but declining to elaborate on specific incidents.
Speaking during an event for his new agreement with Swiss sportswear company On, Mbappé shifted focus from the referee’s performance to Real Madrid’s need for improvement on the pitch.
Mbappé on Derby Officiating
The French international addressed the officiating directly, stating, “The referee is human and makes mistakes, and there were mistakes.” However, he was careful not to turn his comments into a public complaint, noting his usual reluctance to discuss officials.
Mbappé told Diario AS that he has his own thoughts on what transpired during the difficult derby match but chose to keep them private. This stance contrasts with some of the wider discussions and analyses that followed the fixture.
Real Madrid’s Path Forward
Instead of dwelling on the officiating, Mbappé used the opportunity to outline what he believes Real Madrid must do next. He emphasised the importance of the players taking responsibility.
“Other people can talk,” Mbappé stated, “but the players have to do more and work to bring the excitement back to the club and bring the trophies back.”
His comments underscore a belief that despite the challenging result in the derby, the season is far from over, and the team’s focus should be on their own performance and effort. This message aligns with his known preference for letting his football speak for itself rather than engaging in verbal disputes.