Surprisingly, Kylian Mbappe’s maiden season in Spain with Real Madrid ended in disarray with no major trophies to his name – and the French forward’s reply when asked about his side’s ‘trophyless’ season was so brilliant that it’s gone viral.
Many thought that Paris-born Mbappe’s move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid would guarantee trophies – but the former’s Champions League triumph in 2024/25 raised a few eyebrows over whether they are better without the Frenchman.
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona won Spain’s top division, as did they the Copa del Rey with Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski all tending to run riot in meetings with Los Blancos. Mbappe, however, remains supportive of his team.
Mbappe’s Viral Response to ‘Trophyless Season’ Question
'Trophyless season? Are you sure?'
It’s this simple: Mbappe – widely regarded as one of the best teenagers in football history – is destined to win silverware. The crowning moment of his career, thus far, was holding the World Cup aloft in 2018, but more is to come, it seems.
That won’t be this season’s Nations League crown, however, as Spain – winners of Euro 2024, too – beat them 5-4 in the semi-final. Ahead of France’s third-place encounter against Germany, Mbappe spoke to the press about his season as a whole.
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“You’re coming off a trophyless season with Real Madrid. PSG have just won the Champions League without you,” a reporter asked before questioning whether he can still influence his side’s collective play, rather than focusing on his own records.
“Trophyless season? Are you sure? What is a trophyless season? Do you watch the games?” Mbappe, who is just seven goals shy of becoming his nation’s all-time top goalscorer, replied, all while sporting a subtle smile across his face. He then said:
“We won two titles. You could have said major titles, I would have said nothing. That’s the importance of words.”
In 2024/25, Real Madrid – the reigning Champions League winners at the time – defeated Europa League winners Atalanta 2–0 in the UEFA Supercup, while they also beat Mexican side Pachuca in the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup final.
“Yes, of course, we missed the important titles, the major titles. I think that this year, it was very enriching and, as you say, that PSG wins the Champions League without me, that doesn’t affect me but I think it’s good too," the Frenchman added. "It’s a good thing!”
“I have turned a lot of things around in my career. I’ve had a lot of things labelled on me, so this is just another label put on my back. It’s up to me to work and improve the next year. And why not win all the major titles?”
Although Carlo Ancelotti’s side failed to usurp their domestic rivals, Barcelona, for any silverware, Mbappe enjoyed a season to remember. A slow start concerned fans – but he soon found his feet in the Spanish capital and returned to scoring bucketloads.
All in all, throughout all competitions, the PSG academy graduate scored 43 goals (31 of which came in La Liga fixtures), while adding five assists to his name. Next season, under Xabi Alonso, there will be another chance to add to his bloated trophy cabinet.