Kylian Mbappe has struck up a friendship with Trent Alexander-Arnold but has chosen not to copy his Real Madrid team-mate
Players of Real Madrid, from left to right, Eduardo Camavinga, Vinicius Junior, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Kylian Mbappe, train during the training session ahead of their LaLiga EA Sports match against Valencia CF at Ciudad Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe won't be replicating Trent Alexander-Arnold's choice of ride at Real Madrid(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has declined the club's offer of a brand new BMW i7 despite recently passing his driving test. In doing so, he's rejected the chance to match up with team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold in the club car park.
Mbappe, who turned 27 in December, is officially road legal after obtaining his driving licence. Such a privilege brings certain benefits when you're among the Real elite, including the provision of a complimentary i7.
Instead, the World Cup-winner has chosen the somewhat more modest (though still electric) iX3 as his BMW model of choice. Having only recently passed his test, Marca reported Mbappe is mindful of tackling more than he can manage with his first regular vehicle.
Real secured a sponsorship deal with BMW in 2022, meaning players must drive models manufactured by the German carmaker to the training ground and other club functions. Alexander-Arnold was forced to accept his preferred £130,000 Range Rover P530 was no longer suitable for club visits due to sponsorship restrictions, with the former Liverpool star banned from driving the vehicle to training and club events.
Mbappe's choice is a sensible one given the top-specification i7 measures a substantial 5.4 metres long. By comparison, the iX3 is just 4.7m long and will certainly provide an easier experience parallel parking for a novice driver.
While Alexander-Arnold also had the opportunity to select a luxurious i7 as his vehicle of choice, he too favoured practicality over style. The England international opted to drive the more economical iX xDrive60, an all-electric SUV that comes with a more modest price tag of around £95,000.
It appears Alexander-Arnold, who continues to face criticism in Madrid, is perhaps also mindful of not getting ahead of himself during his first season driving in Spain. After all, adjusting to driving in the right-hand lane could take some time, and it may be a sensible decision to gradually transition to a more powerful vehicle.
Recent footage captured outside the Real training ground showed Mbappe driving out on his own for the first time. And he he seemed comfortable despite only recently obtaining legal permission to get behind the wheel.
Mbappe has nearly won everything there is to win in football. However, he has previously said he simply didn't have the time to focus on getting his licence.
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That seems to have changed since moving to Madrid. It's likely Real's players are allowed to drive their preferred vehicles when not involved in club activities, though Mbappe might be satisfied with his complimentary option for now.
French publication 7sur7 recently revealed it's a legal requirement in Spain for novice drivers to display an 'L' sticker on their vehicle for a year. Although he might be getting to grips with driving, Mbappe is far from a beginner on the pitch and currently tops the leaderboard for this season's Pichichi Trophy, having scored 23 goals in La Liga so far.
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