Footy Naija
  • Home
  • News
  • EPL
  • La Liga
  • Ligue 1
  • Serie A
  • Esport
No Result
View All Result
Sunday, March 29, 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

Super Eagles: Assessing Fernandez, Nwaiwu performance after impressive debut vs Iran

Super Eagles: Assessing Fernandez, Nwaiwu performance after impressive debut vs Iran

March 29, 2026
‘We don’t want a repeat of 2026 World Cup qualifiers’ – Ekpo reacts to Super Eagles win over Iran

‘We don’t want a repeat of 2026 World Cup qualifiers’ – Ekpo reacts to Super Eagles win over Iran

March 28, 2026
Super Eagles defender Emmanuel Fernandez reveals why he uses the squad number ’37’ at Rangers

Super Eagles defender Emmanuel Fernandez reveals why he uses the squad number ’37’ at Rangers

March 28, 2026
Paul Onuachu pays emotional tribute to late Trabzonspor coach after match-winner vs Caykur Rizespor

Turkish goal king Paul Onuachu attracting interest from Bundesliga clubs despite Trabzonspor’s no-sale stance

March 28, 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

Super Eagles: Assessing Fernandez, Nwaiwu performance after impressive debut vs Iran
News

Super Eagles: Assessing Fernandez, Nwaiwu performance after impressive debut vs Iran

by Olaoluwa Komolafe
March 29, 2026
‘We don’t want a repeat of 2026 World Cup qualifiers’ – Ekpo reacts to Super Eagles win over Iran
News

‘We don’t want a repeat of 2026 World Cup qualifiers’ – Ekpo reacts to Super Eagles win over Iran

by Daniel Echoda
March 28, 2026
Super Eagles defender Emmanuel Fernandez reveals why he uses the squad number ’37’ at Rangers
News

Super Eagles defender Emmanuel Fernandez reveals why he uses the squad number ’37’ at Rangers

by Olaoluwa Komolafe
March 28, 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
Osimhen: Ex-French forward recommends Super Eagles striker to Barcelona as Lewandowski replacement

Manchester United urged to go all out for Super Eagles star ahead of summer transfer window

March 28, 2026
Nigeria vs Iran: Four key takeaways from Super Eagles narrow win

Nigeria vs Iran: Four key takeaways from Super Eagles narrow win

March 27, 2026
Paul Onuachu pays emotional tribute to late Trabzonspor coach after match-winner vs Caykur Rizespor

Turkish goal king Paul Onuachu attracting interest from Bundesliga clubs despite Trabzonspor’s no-sale stance

March 28, 2026
A look at Jordan vs Costa Rica and what it means for Nigeria’s final game

A look at Jordan vs Costa Rica and what it means for Nigeria’s final game

March 28, 2026
Super Eagles: Assessing Fernandez, Nwaiwu performance after impressive debut vs Iran

Super Eagles: Assessing Fernandez, Nwaiwu performance after impressive debut vs Iran

March 29, 2026
‘We don’t want a repeat of 2026 World Cup qualifiers’ – Ekpo reacts to Super Eagles win over Iran

‘We don’t want a repeat of 2026 World Cup qualifiers’ – Ekpo reacts to Super Eagles win over Iran

March 28, 2026
Super Eagles defender Emmanuel Fernandez reveals why he uses the squad number ’37’ at Rangers

Super Eagles defender Emmanuel Fernandez reveals why he uses the squad number ’37’ at Rangers

March 28, 2026
Paul Onuachu pays emotional tribute to late Trabzonspor coach after match-winner vs Caykur Rizespor

Turkish goal king Paul Onuachu attracting interest from Bundesliga clubs despite Trabzonspor’s no-sale stance

March 28, 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.