Kylian Mbappe told the world he dreamed of joining Real Madrid, and after the club did everything they could to sign him last summer – including offering PSG 200 million euros to a player with one year left on his contract – the player dragged on a transfer saga in order to get an unprecedented financial offer and unprecedented front office power in a new contract.
Madridistas feel betrayed and used up. But the saga has given them a greater appreciation for their current players – not just the stars, too.
For example, loanee Alvaro Odriozola, who helped Fiorentina return to European football this season, had some heartfelt words for Kylian Mbappe that have been applauded by Real Madrid fans.
He had this to say, in an interview with Radioestadio Noche:
"“If I were Mbappé, I would come running from Paris without thinking about it.”“I believe that there are things that cannot be bought. Madrid’s dream cannot be bought. Its history cannot be bought.”"
Real Madrid must always be respected
Odriozola’s words are what we call shooting straight. Like fellow Real Madrid right back Dani Carvajal, Odriozola is being honest without being disrespectful.
Real is a club that has first-team players who have won Champions Leagues after being with the club since they were children. They develop talent and have so many players who choose to join the club over offers elsewhere, including better financial ones. Eduardo Camavinga is an example.
It is fine for Mbappe to want what is best for himself. Real Madrid players do not dispute this. But the likes of Odriozola and Carvajal are articulating that there is a level of respect for Madrid that must be kept, because this is an institution with history that means something in football.
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Odriozola has not had it easy in Madrid since joining from Real Sociedad, but you can tell he loves the club and is doing everything he can to make it back into the squad and find a role for himself. After his 2021/22 campaign in Florence, let’s see what the future holds for the right back as he enters his prime years. This quote will earn him some goodwill with Madridistas.