‘No limit’ for Mbappe after scoring on Madrid debut
WARSAW, Poland (AFP) — Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe says there is “no limit” to the number of goals he can score after netting on his debut for the club to help win the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.
The France captain slammed home Madrid’s second in a 2-0 win over Europa League winners Atalanta after Fede Valverde opened the scoring after the break.
Mbappe darted into space in the area and Jude Bellingham fed the forward who finished clinically in the 68th minute.
“We are at Real Madrid, we have no limit, if I can score 50, then 50, but the most important thing is winning and improving as a team, because we will win as a team,” Mbappe told Movistar when asked if he was aiming to net 50 goals this season.
The forward has been linked with Madrid for years but was finally able to complete his dream move this summer at the end of his Paris Saint-Germain deal.
“It was a great night. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time,” explained Mbappe.
“To play with this shirt, with this badge, for these fans, it’s a gift for me.
“We won a trophy too, that’s very important, we know that here we always have to win and I am very happy.”
The 25-year-old was given an ovation by Madrid’s fans after Coach Carlo Ancelotti brought him off in the 83rd minute, likely the first of many.
Mbappe said that he expected to improve in the weeks ahead, with Madrid’s La Liga campaign starting on Saturday against Real Mallorca.
“I am sure we will get better and me first of all — but today is a positive step,” added the striker.
Madrid’s triumph ensured Ancelotti equalled former Los Blancos coach Miguel Munoz on a joint-record 14 titles won at the helm of the club.
The Italian’s first task this season is designing a system that can get the best out of his array of attacking stars.
Mbappe began through the middle of Madrid’s forward line, flanked by Vinicius Junior on the left and Rodrygo Goes on the right, in the first look at how he might fit into Ancelotti’s plans this season.
As a result England international Bellingham played as part of the midfield trio rather than in the advanced position he began last season to such devastating goalscoring effect.
“[Mbappe] has the quality to score a lot of goals,” Ancelotti told Movistar.
“What we have to look for is balance in the team — today we didn’t have that balance.”