Florentino Perez: Real Madrid president defends Kylian Mbappe – ‘He is our best player’

Florentino Perez defended his time as Real Madrid president this week in an impromptu press conference in which he attacked the media.

The 79-year-old has now launched a staunch defence of Kylian Mbappe due to growing criticism of him.

He insists that Mbappe is the club’s best player despite a turbulent season on and off the pitch.

Perez spoke in an exclusive interview with Josep Pedrerol on La Sexta.

While much of the football world expected more political fireworks, he addressed several key sporting issues, with Mbappe emerging as the central talking point.

The 27-year-old has continued to deliver staggering numbers since arriving in Madrid, scoring relentlessly across two seasons.

However, despite his output, sections of the fanbase have increasingly turned against him.

Mbappe has been criticised for his defensive work rate and has been blamed by some supporters for Madrid’s failure to secure major silverware this campaign.

The scrutiny has intensified to the point where online petitions calling for the club to move him on have reportedly begun circulating.

The France captain is also under heavy pressure in his homeland following comments made in a recent publication ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

What many people considered to be relatively harmless remarks have been heavily dissected in France, with some critics even suggesting he should be stripped of the national team captaincy.

Perez moved quickly to back his marquee signing and dismissed the notion that the former Monaco man plays a role in sporting decisions.

“I have not spoken with Mbappe,” Perez said (via Marca). “If I see him, I greet him. He is our best player. The one who has scored the most goals.”

The Madrid chief also defended Xabi Alonso after a disappointing campaign marred by injury problems and inconsistent performances.

“I wasn’t wrong to appoint Xabi Alonso,” Perez added. “We didn’t have a pre-season, and we collapsed physically. We had many injuries. We are running tests to fix that.”

Perez admitted the season had been very bad but argued that preparations were disrupted from the outset by the expanded Club World Cup schedule.

Attention also turned to the dressing-room bust-up between Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde.

Perez attempted to downplay the incident while criticising whoever leaked details of the altercation. “Fights happen every year,” he said. “It’s something normal. And leaking it is very ugly.”