PSG
Mbappé: Why does he speak fluent Spanish?
The PSG ace surprised by giving an interview to Movistar in perfect Spanish after Tuesday's 1-0 win over Real Madrid. He's been learning the language for some time.
If Kylian Mbappé were to be presented by Real Madrid tomorrow, he wouldn't need an interpreter to help him with the usual tasks new signings have to perform before the traditional "Hala Madrid!" for the fans. The French superstar speaks fluent Spanish - as naturally as if he had be born in the Cuatro Caminos district. It was hardly a secret, but hearing him express himself in Spanish in a post-match interview for Movistar+ just moments after he scored the winner in last night's clash with Real Madrid was an eye-opener nevertheless.
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But where did Mbappé learn Spanish and how has he been able to master a second language? The answer to that might seem strange - in Monaco. Kylian, partly influenced by his love of Real Madrid and boyhood idol Cristiano Ronaldo, began taking Spanish classes when he was 15 years old during his time in Monaco. There is even an old video on YouTube which shows a young a young Mbappé in front of a blackboard practicing phrases with his Spanish teacher.
Kylian has made a continued effort to maintain his Spanish and ensure it doesn't get rusty. From solidarity events (he spoke in Spanish via video-link to a 14-year-old fan battling cancer in New York) to nights on the town with latin music stars such as J Balvin and even conversations with Spanish-speaking team mates. Last season, in an interview with Onda Cero, Pablo Sarabia revealed that he would regularly chat with Kylian in Cervantes' language. "Kylian speaks Spanish really well, sometimes he replies to me in Spanish,".
Mbappé, unlike other French players such as Zidane and Benzema, who made history at Real Madrid but took a while to get to grips with the language, is getting closer to Chamartín with his language lessons already completed...