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The time has come for Kylian Mbappé, expected this Saturday evening at the Bernabeu for his very first Clasico. The clash has been underway for a long time in Spain – especially since the two clubs concerned are two lengths apart in the standings – but the mentions of the captain of the Blues in the Iberian press on this great day are not necessarily legion.
The leading sports daily Marca highlights two elements on both sides: Vinicius Jr and Yamine Lamal. A choice shared by the Catalan media Mundo Deportivo which takes care to present the two men as the natural leaders of their respective teams. Favorite for the 2024 Ballon d’Or which will be awarded on Monday and still sparkling this week in the Champions League, the Auriverde striker from Real completely eclipses his new French teammate.
“A difficult adaptation” underlined
Asked about the subject by L’Equipe, RAC1 journalist Roger Saperas provides elements of explanation regarding this relative downgrading of the Bondy prodigy. “ Mbappé is experiencing a difficult adaptation, but it is normal after so many years in the same club. (…) I have no doubt that he is one of the best players in the world. We know he has the quality, but we haven’t seen it yet… »
And adding in the perspective of the Clasico: “ The fear that Mbappé could provide was counterbalanced by the appearance of Lamine Yamal, who, for the moment, is the more decisive of the two. (…) A player like him (Mbappé, editor’s note) cannot generate indifference, but for the sake of performance, for now the attention is more on Vinicius. »
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Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team.
 
 As an author for the website, Manu's expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers.
 
 When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans. Feel free to follow Manu on Twitter and interact with him as he shares his expert opinions, insights, and love for French football.