Real Madrid legend Fabio Capello claimed that Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe “step on each other’s toes” at the Bernabeu and “don’t perform well”.
Mbappe finally joined Los Blancos last summer in a free transfer switch from Paris Saint-Germain.
Rather than slotting into his preferred left wing berth, however, the Frenchman found that area of the pitch already occupied by the Brazilian and had to adapt to a new role as a lone striker and number 9.
That wasn’t easy for Mbappe, who confessed that he “hit rock bottom” following a penalty miss and loss at Athletic Club as 2024 drew to a close.
Though things picked up after and he has since been called the “best centre forward in the world” by his coach Carlo Ancelotti, Mbappe was criticized alongside Vinicius for not delivering “minimum services” in a 2-1 Champions League last 16 win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
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Now in an interview with Flashscore published ahead of the weekend, former Madrid boss Capello - who won two La Liga titles in different decades in the Spanish capital - joined the pile-on.
“Mbappe and Vinicius play in the same position, they step on each other’s toes and don’t perform well,” the straight-talking Italian stated.
“They manage to do what others cannot do in small spaces, in plays that no one thinks about, but that is not the harmony of the game. They are a team of Galacticos up front, with problems in midfield after the departure of [Toni] Kroos, and problems in defense with injuries,” he added.
After calling Ancelotti the best tactician in the sport earlier this week, though, Capello continued praising his compatriot.
“I could see his skills and technique on the field [as a player],” Capello stressed.
“He knew how to read the game. When he entered the field you could see that he had the quality to know how to read the game and what he had to do with his teammates. Not just with passes, but also recoveries.
“These are things we don't always think about. Ancelotti was more than dynamic in those games, he was really the one who led the orchestra with words and also with balls, but much more with words.
“And he was a very serious man. I met him and I see him again from time to time and he deserves the success he has had because he manages to understand all the places where he has worked and what the club demands, and make the team play according to the style he prefers.
“And it’s not an easy thing, it’s very difficult; you have to be a teacher and he was one,” Capello concluded.