Kylian Mbappe Opens Up About His Eye-Opening First Encounter with Xabi Alonso

Kylian Mbappé expressed glowing admiration for Xabi Alonso, revealing that Real Madrid's new manager made an exceptional initial impact from the moment he assumed control of the club.

Taking over from Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid brings enormous pressure and expectations. The Italian secured 15 titles across his two periods at the Spanish capital, including three Champions League victories, and departed Madrid as the most successful coach in the club's history.

Alonso is the individual Los Blancos trusted to guide the team back to championship glory following a lackluster 2024–25 season. The former Bayer Leverkusen manager had merely two weeks to familiarize himself with the world's most prestigious club before this summer's FIFA Club World Cup, providing limited opportunity to properly adjust to his new roster.

Nevertheless, Mbappé remembers Alonso's somewhat hurried integration with tremendous appreciation in a conversation with BILD.

"He made an excellent first impression on me," the French star commented. "You observe someone who is determined to achieve success. He understands this club intimately since he was a Real Madrid player himself.

"Currently, we're simply working to execute his instructions. We're attempting to grasp the tactical approach he envisions for us, and then we'll discover the results."

Real Madrid already appear transformed under Alonso's guidance. The four new acquisitions this summer certainly contribute, but Los Blancos' tactical approach represents the most significant transformation.

During the previous campaign, Real Madrid were comfortable dropping deep and permitting opposing teams to maintain extended periods of ball control. There was no pressing urgency to regain possession, no intense pressure, and the team frequently found themselves trapped in their defensive third.

Currently, Los Blancos demonstrate enhanced effort without the ball, precise distribution through the middle of the park, and unified defensive structure. Room for development remains, but the indicators are remarkably encouraging, particularly from Mbappé, who has netted three times in three matches during Real Madrid's flawless beginning to the 2025–26 campaign.

"Our opening was successful with three victories, naturally, which is truly encouraging, but we must continue developing," Mbappé stated. "We must maintain our efforts, we must keep challenging ourselves because we understand how challenging it is to capture silverware. And that's our objective.

"We're progressing and we're just starting an extended campaign, but our aim remains constant: to secure trophies. To accomplish this, we're working to advance gradually."