Real Madrid Star Valverde Discusses Mbappe Locker Room ‘Conflicts’

In an interview with France Football set to be published at the weekend, Real Madrid star Fede Valverde discussed Kylian Mbappe’s life at the Bernabeu so far and “conflicts” it was believed the Frenchman would bring to the locker room.

Mbappe became President Florentino Perez’s latest Galactico when completing a high-profile free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

And while the jury is still out on whether the number 9 has been a success so far in the Spanish capital, and if a central striker role can exact the best of his abilities, midfielder Valverde has been impressed by the Frenchman for one.

“We all know the kind of player he is, he’s one of the best in the world,” Valverde said, to the magazine that awards the Ballon d’Or.

“I think that to be able to have him here today is a tremendous satisfaction, [and it’s] a joy to share the field with him. I suffered with him against PSG, I suffered against him with Uruguay. He stands out in every game, in every training session. [He’s a] top player. Thank God we can have him with us. I can enjoy him and my family too, my children can see him,” he added.

Though Mbappe is often thought of as being a bit of a diva or boasting an ego, Valverde argued that this is not the case by stating that “as a person he is incredible”.

Furthermore, there haven’t been any falling outs in a star-studded locker room because of his presence, as many predicted.

“He shut many mouths, that when he arrived here there were going to be a lot of conflicts, that I don’t know what… He silenced all that, all those rumors, and showed that he is a spectacular person,” Valverde said.

Valverde was also asked about Mbappe’s grasp of Spanish, which has been praised by many in his new adopted homeland.

Valverde – a native speaker as a Uruguayan – joked that Mbappe’s Spanish is, “Impressive! Better than mine!”

While Mbappe hasn’t been called up to the French national team for the ongoing international break, he is expected to return to action for Los Blancos with Valverde against Celta Vigo on October 19.