Xabi Alonso: Kylian Mbappe not anxious about waiting for the UEFA Champions League title

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said that Monday Superstar striker Kylian Mbappe feels no fear of winning the Champions League for the first time while Los Blancos is preparing for Marseille.

Mbappe, 26, left Paris Saint-Germain last summer to participate in record 15-way winners Madrid, only to see his former club go to lift the trophy for the first time in its history.

«He is not anxious, we all feel that this is a project that is just starting,» Alonso told a news conference prior to Tuesday’s opening match in the Santiago Bernabeu.

“One of the objectives is to hopefully rather instead of winning the Champions League sooner, Kylian is part of the road to get there, but I don’t think he’s anxious.

«Today we talked about what the Champions League means, but we were not talking about May (and the final), we were talking about the near future.»

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This summer Mbappe stood for the first time at his former club PSG opposite the Club World Cup, with Madrid 4-0 in the semi-final.

However, the striker was not completely fit in the tournament in the United States because of a belly bug and this season has hit the ground with four goals in four La Liga matches.

«Gastroenteritis meant that it was Kylian ‘Lite’ at the World Cup Club,» said Alonso.

«Without a doubt (he is a leader), for his personality, experience, the influence he has on the others, he is one of them.»

Real Madrid has won six of the last 12 champion competitions, but Alonso said he felt no extra pressure because of the rich history of the club in the competition.

«It is a fact, indisputable, an honor, a motivation and it is a responsibility with which you live and enjoy,» Alonso added. «It’s a privilege.»

Published on September 15, 2025