Footy Naija
  • Home
  • News
  • EPL
  • La Liga
  • Ligue 1
  • Serie A
  • Esport
No Result
View All Result
Thursday, April 23, 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

“Mistakes are part of football” – Nigeria’s Osimhen backs Galatasaray teammate after Turkish Cup disaster

“Mistakes are part of football” – Nigeria’s Osimhen backs Galatasaray teammate after Turkish Cup disaster

April 23, 2026
FIFA world rankings: Nigeria’s Super Eagles remain unmoved after Iran win, Jordan draw

Arsenal transfer news: Gunners lead ₦63.8bn race for Super Eagles star

April 23, 2026
‘A privilege, a responsibility’ – Sevilla’s Adams on the weight of the Super Eagles shirt

‘A privilege, a responsibility’ – Sevilla’s Adams on the weight of the Super Eagles shirt

April 23, 2026
‘More tactical, technical’ – Super Eagles star compares Ligue 1 to La Liga

‘More tactical, technical’ – Super Eagles star compares Ligue 1 to La Liga

April 22, 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

“Mistakes are part of football” – Nigeria’s Osimhen backs Galatasaray teammate after Turkish Cup disaster
News

“Mistakes are part of football” – Nigeria’s Osimhen backs Galatasaray teammate after Turkish Cup disaster

by Olaoluwa Komolafe
April 23, 2026
FIFA world rankings: Nigeria’s Super Eagles remain unmoved after Iran win, Jordan draw
Africa

Arsenal transfer news: Gunners lead ₦63.8bn race for Super Eagles star

by Imhons
April 23, 2026
‘A privilege, a responsibility’ – Sevilla’s Adams on the weight of the Super Eagles shirt
News

‘A privilege, a responsibility’ – Sevilla’s Adams on the weight of the Super Eagles shirt

by Daniel Echoda
April 23, 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
Akor Adams: Biography, stats, salary, net worth, parents, wife, transfer news and FC 26 ratings

Akor Adams: Biography, stats, salary, net worth, parents, wife, transfer news and FC 26 ratings

April 21, 2026
WATCH: Kevin De Bruyne’s new hairstyle amuses Pep Guardiola on first day back at Manchester City training

WATCH: Kevin De Bruyne’s new hairstyle amuses Pep Guardiola on first day back at Manchester City training

August 7, 2024
Super Eagles star Arokodare facing Wolves exit after Premier League drop

Super Eagles star Arokodare facing Wolves exit after Premier League drop

April 22, 2026
Mbappe labels Euro 2024 campaign ‘a failure’ after France’s agonizing semifinal defeat to Spain

Mbappe labels Euro 2024 campaign ‘a failure’ after France’s agonizing semifinal defeat to Spain

July 10, 2024
2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers: CAF reschedules Egypt vs. Burkina Faso match

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

547
‘A privilege, a responsibility’ – Sevilla’s Adams on the weight of the Super Eagles shirt

‘A privilege, a responsibility’ – Sevilla’s Adams on the weight of the Super Eagles shirt

2
Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo set to shatter Saudi League goal record against champions Al Hilal

Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo set to shatter Saudi League goal record against champions Al Hilal

591
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

19
“Mistakes are part of football” – Nigeria’s Osimhen backs Galatasaray teammate after Turkish Cup disaster

“Mistakes are part of football” – Nigeria’s Osimhen backs Galatasaray teammate after Turkish Cup disaster

April 23, 2026
FIFA world rankings: Nigeria’s Super Eagles remain unmoved after Iran win, Jordan draw

Arsenal transfer news: Gunners lead ₦63.8bn race for Super Eagles star

April 23, 2026
‘A privilege, a responsibility’ – Sevilla’s Adams on the weight of the Super Eagles shirt

‘A privilege, a responsibility’ – Sevilla’s Adams on the weight of the Super Eagles shirt

April 23, 2026
‘More tactical, technical’ – Super Eagles star compares Ligue 1 to La Liga

‘More tactical, technical’ – Super Eagles star compares Ligue 1 to La Liga

April 22, 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.