Former Spanish international Fernando Morientes has spoken out about Real Madrid, his former club. Without holding back, the striker with 100 goals shared his candid thoughts on Kylian Mbappé, who is under significant pressure at the start of his journey with the Spanish capital club.
When discussing the best strikers of Real Madrid in the 1990s and 2000s, Fernando Morientes is certainly among them. A native of Cilleros, the now 48-year-old arrived in the Spanish capital in 1997. After two prolific seasons with Real Zaragoza (79 matches for 34 goals), the Spanish striker wore the colours of the most prestigious club in the Spanish capital until 2005. In 270 matches, Morientes scored 100 goals, including 12 in his first La Liga season. Now a club legend, he has delivered strong opinions on Kylian Mbappé, the club’s new number 9.
Morientes reveals Mbappé’s problem
Speaking at an event organised by La Liga and FC 25, the former Spain international striker (1998–2007, 47 matches for 27 goals) was very clear about Kylian Mbappé’s current situation. While many believe the French forward is not meeting expectations at the start of his spell with Carlo Ancelotti’s team, Morientes thinks people are simply criticising KM9 because of the exceptionally high standards he has set for football fans.
“He has 10 or 11 goals in La Liga (editor’s note: it’s actually 9). I finished my first season at Real Madrid with 12 league goals and was the team’s top scorer. If that’s considered being out of form… I think Mbappé’s problem is that he has badly spoiled football consumers, and people naturally expect the best from him. The best is yet to come, I’m sure of it,” Morientes explained in comments reported by El Desmarque.
Madridistas can remain calm
For the former player, who also played for Valencia, it’s too soon to write off Real Madrid, a team that may appear unstable on the sporting front this season.
Currently second in La Liga, just one point behind Barcelona (who also have a game in hand), Real Madrid could turn things around early next year when all their injured players return. As for Kylian Mbappé, his recent performances are beginning to live up to expectations. Currently the club’s top scorer, the former PSG player could end the season with around 30 goals if injuries don’t hinder his resurgence.
