Mbappe downplays Madrid links but ‘not afraid to leave’ Monaco

Kylian Mbappe has played down his desire to play for Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid, but cautioned that he’s “not afraid to leave” Monaco.

Mbappe, 18, took Europe by storm this season, scoring 16 goals in Ligue 1 for title-winning Monaco, to go with six more goals in the Champions League.

He’s consequently been linked with a move to some of the world’s biggest clubs, and he previously put Madrid fans on alert when he called their manager Zidane his first idol.

But speaking at France training camp, he clarified that he was only speaking about Zidane’s playing days.

“I dreamed of Zidane the player, not the coach,” Mbappe said. “Zidane the player made me dream and still makes me dream when I watch videos of him.

“The coach is completely different, he is a great coach who has quickly achieved results and continues to develop.”

Mbappe also said that he would listen to the input of France coach Didier Deschamps as he plans out his future, and he said no move would be considered until he’s finished with national duty on June 13.

“The advice of [Deschamps] counts,” he said. “That will not guide my choice, but it will count. I do not think I will go to his office to ask. But there’s plenty of time to think about all this. There are important matches for France.”

A move this summer could affect his playing time, which could in turn affect Deschamps’ decision to include him in next year’s World Cup. Manchester United’s Anthony Martial and Bayern Munich’s Kingley Coman were both left out of the France squad after failing to earn regular starts this season.

But asked if their examples made him cautious about making a move this summer, Mbappe said he didn’t feel he’d play less elsewhere than he already does at Monaco.

“Why play less?” he said. “I’ll have time to reflect on that and, no, I’m not afraid to leave.”