Didier Deschamps
January 2026
Deschamps rejected criticism focused on Mbappe’s running metrics, saying he will not cover “11 kilometres per match” but can still be a true captain and decisive match-winner. He framed it as a tactical trade-off: you do not demand high-volume defensive running that drains the explosiveness Mbappe needs in the final third.
Antony
January 2026
Antony scored and assisted in a 2-1 win over Feyenoord as Betis finished fourth in the league phase and reached the last 16, with his European output highlighted against elite peers. He opened scoring with a curled strike and later crossed for Ezzalzouli; Opta stat cited says Antony has 14 European goal involvements for Betis (eight goals, six assists), level with Kane in the same span and three behind Mbappe.
Anatoliy Trubin
January 2026
Benfica beat Real Madrid 4-2, with goalkeeper Trubin scoring a last-gasp header to secure a Champions League playoff spot as Madrid finished ninth and must play a February playoff. Benfica needed a win to stay in the top 24; Mourinho sent Trubin up for a late set-piece, he headed in, and Madrid ended with two late red cards as Benfica’s late swing decided qualification over rivals elsewhere.
Alvaro Arbeloa
January 2026
Arbeloa criticised supporters who chanted “Florentino resign” during his first home league win, arguing the protest came from people who do not truly support the club. After replacing Xabi Alonso and starting with a Copa del Rey upset loss to Albacete, Arbeloa steadied things with a Levante win via second-half goals from Mbappe and Asencio, but the match was dominated by sustained anti-Perez chants from early on.
Real Madrid
January 2026
Madrid won 2-0 after a flat first half, with Mbappe scoring a second-half penalty and Asencio adding a headed goal from a corner to secure the points. Arbeloa changed the flow by introducing Arda Guler for more midfield invention, increasing tempo and chance creation. Mbappe won and converted a penalty, then Madrid capitalised on a set piece, managing the game despite a few Levante counters.
Jude Bellingham
January 2026
Bellingham angrily denied reports suggesting he did not support Alonso during his Real Madrid tenure. He posted directly to rebut “sources” and media narratives amid wider claims of dressing-room issues, including reported Alonso disputes with Mbappe and Florentino Perez.
Kylian Mbappe
January 2026
Real Madrid ruled Kylian Mbappe out of the entire Spanish Super Cup due to a left-knee sprain, opting not to take him to Saudi Arabia, while Trent Alexander-Arnold returns to the travelling squad. Madrid’s medical staff and hierarchy chose a conservative plan after Mbappe played through the issue in recent weeks, deciding he will only return when fully fit and not for a short-term final.
Kylian Mbappe
December 2025
Frank Leboeuf has pushed back on claims that Kylian Mbappe already tops France’s all-time greats, arguing the Real Madrid striker cannot yet compare to Zinedine Zidane, whose legendary status, aura and popularity in France still surpass those of any member of the current generation. Leboeuf says Zidane’s genius, leadership and off-field respect – despite the 2006 World Cup final incident – keep him untouchable, while Mbappe’s private-life controversies and perceived lack of defensive work mean he must evolve, showing more effort and completeness, before entering that conversation.
