Footy Naija
  • Home
  • News
  • EPL
  • La Liga
  • Ligue 1
  • Serie A
  • Esport
No Result
View All Result
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Footy Naija
  • Home
  • News
  • EPL
  • La Liga
  • Ligue 1
  • Serie A
  • Esport
No Result
View All Result
Footy Naija
ADVERTISEMENT

“He was very thin and small” – Why Real Madrid didn’t sign Kylian Mbappé at 13 despite Zidane’s recommendation

Imhons by Imhons
June 12, 2024
in News
A A
“He was very thin and small” – Why Real Madrid didn’t sign Kylian Mbappé at 13 despite Zidane’s recommendation
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Related Post

Fulham boss shares update on Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi after injury in Brentford stalemate

Fulham boss shares update on Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi after injury in Brentford stalemate

April 18, 2026
Ademola Lookman: Copa del Rey final ‘will be tough’ but Atletico Madrid can win it, says Super Eagles star

Ademola Lookman: Copa del Rey final ‘will be tough’ but Atletico Madrid can win it, says Super Eagles star

April 18, 2026
What Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman said after Atleti’s UCL victory over Barcelona

Ex-Real Madrid midfielder reveals why Ademola Lookman’s Atletico won’t win Champions League

April 18, 2026
Super Eagles star claims top award in Portugal following brilliant display

Super Eagles star claims top award in Portugal following brilliant display

April 18, 2026
Former Real Madrid youth coach Ruben de la Red has revealed why the club did not sign Kylian Mbappé when he was 13 years old, Soccernet.football reports.

Now regarded as one of the best players in the world, Mbappé recently joined Real Madrid on a free transfer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain. The France international reportedly received a large signing-on fee and is now the highest-paid player at the Spanish club.

In an interview with Spanish sports newspaper AS, de la Red discussed Mbappé’s trial at Real Madrid: “Everyone always wants to know that from me. It was like with every other boy who trained with us. Every now and then you had players who you now say ‘Look what he’s become’. But he must have worked hard for that afterwards.”

De la Red explained further: “Zidane recommended him because he knew him. Mbappé already had these little things: speed and dribbling.

“Physically, he was very thin and small. He had not yet made that leap in development – and in the end, it is difficult to predict whether you will make it as a professional when you are only 12 or 13. Many players like Mbappé have already fallen by the wayside.”

When asked if he expected Mbappé to succeed, de la Red said: “He (Mbappé) himself did not expect it – and neither did anyone else. It has been shown time and again that only very few make it as a professional. And even more so to Mbappé’s level. This is a marathon for every young player, where they have been lucky and worked hard.”

Currently, Mbappé is preparing with France for the European Championship in Germany. The French team will face Austria, the Netherlands, and Poland in the group stage.

The World Cup winner cupped an injury last night that could keep him out of France’s opening game at the Euros during their goalless draw against Canada in a friendly.
Former Real Madrid youth coach Ruben de la Red has revealed why the club did not sign Kylian Mbappé when he was 13 years old, Soccernet.football reports.

Now regarded as one of the best players in the world, Mbappé recently joined Real Madrid on a free transfer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain. The France international reportedly received a large signing-on fee and is now the highest-paid player at the Spanish club.

In an interview with Spanish sports newspaper AS, de la Red discussed Mbappé’s trial at Real Madrid: “Everyone always wants to know that from me. It was like with every other boy who trained with us. Every now and then you had players who you now say ‘Look what he’s become’. But he must have worked hard for that afterwards.”

De la Red explained further: “Zidane recommended him because he knew him. Mbappé already had these little things: speed and dribbling.

“Physically, he was very thin and small. He had not yet made that leap in development – and in the end, it is difficult to predict whether you will make it as a professional when you are only 12 or 13. Many players like Mbappé have already fallen by the wayside.”

When asked if he expected Mbappé to succeed, de la Red said: “He (Mbappé) himself did not expect it – and neither did anyone else. It has been shown time and again that only very few make it as a professional. And even more so to Mbappé’s level. This is a marathon for every young player, where they have been lucky and worked hard.”

Currently, Mbappé is preparing with France for the European Championship in Germany. The French team will face Austria, the Netherlands, and Poland in the group stage.

The World Cup winner cupped an injury last night that could keep him out of France’s opening game at the Euros during their goalless draw against Canada in a friendly.
Source: AS
Tags: Euro 2024Kylian MbappeLa LigaPSGReal Madrid
Imhons

Imhons

Related Posts

Fulham boss shares update on Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi after injury in Brentford stalemate
EPL

Fulham boss shares update on Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi after injury in Brentford stalemate

by Olaoluwa Komolafe
April 18, 2026
Ademola Lookman: Copa del Rey final ‘will be tough’ but Atletico Madrid can win it, says Super Eagles star
News

Ademola Lookman: Copa del Rey final ‘will be tough’ but Atletico Madrid can win it, says Super Eagles star

by Daniel Echoda
April 18, 2026
What Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman said after Atleti’s UCL victory over Barcelona
News

Ex-Real Madrid midfielder reveals why Ademola Lookman’s Atletico won’t win Champions League

by Olaoluwa Komolafe
April 18, 2026
Next Post
Five key takeaways from the United States’ impressive 1-1 draw with Brazil pre-Copa America

Five key takeaways from the United States' impressive 1-1 draw with Brazil pre-Copa America

Chelsea join Arsenal and Manchester City in monitoring €75m rated Portugal international

Chelsea join Arsenal and Manchester City in monitoring €75m rated Portugal international

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Alex Iwobi opens up on Arsene Wenger chat that sealed his Nigeria commitment

Alex Iwobi opens up on Arsene Wenger chat that sealed his Nigeria commitment

April 17, 2026
Super Eagles star claims top award in Portugal following brilliant display

Super Eagles star claims top award in Portugal following brilliant display

April 18, 2026
From silver medals to state honours: FG rewards Super Eagles in Morocco after AFCON run

AFCON 2025: Super Eagles promised ₦14m per goal ahead of Mozambique clash

January 5, 2026
Ademola Lookman: Copa del Rey final ‘will be tough’ but Atletico Madrid can win it, says Super Eagles star

Ademola Lookman: Copa del Rey final ‘will be tough’ but Atletico Madrid can win it, says Super Eagles star

April 18, 2026
2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers: CAF reschedules Egypt vs. Burkina Faso match

2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers: CAF reschedules Egypt vs. Burkina Faso match

541
Javier Zanetti confirms Inter Milan’s interest in Arsenal and Manchester United target

Javier Zanetti confirms Inter Milan’s interest in Arsenal and Manchester United target

15
Osimhen gift Remo Stars millions of naira after historic title win

Osimhen gift Remo Stars millions of naira after historic title win

11
Semi Ajayi: Biography, stats, salary, net worth, parents, wife, transfer news and FC 25 ratings

Semi Ajayi: Biography, stats, salary, net worth, parents, wife, transfer news and FC 25 ratings

15
Fulham boss shares update on Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi after injury in Brentford stalemate

Fulham boss shares update on Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi after injury in Brentford stalemate

April 18, 2026
Ademola Lookman: Copa del Rey final ‘will be tough’ but Atletico Madrid can win it, says Super Eagles star

Ademola Lookman: Copa del Rey final ‘will be tough’ but Atletico Madrid can win it, says Super Eagles star

April 18, 2026
What Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman said after Atleti’s UCL victory over Barcelona

Ex-Real Madrid midfielder reveals why Ademola Lookman’s Atletico won’t win Champions League

April 18, 2026
Super Eagles star claims top award in Portugal following brilliant display

Super Eagles star claims top award in Portugal following brilliant display

April 18, 2026
Footy Naija

© 2025 Soccernet Media Limited.

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • EPL
  • La Liga
  • Ligue 1
  • Serie A
  • Esport

© 2025 Soccernet Media Limited.