“A trophy-winning team doesn’t do that”: Mbappé rips into Real Madrid after UCL debacle
Striker Kylian Mbappé, who scored both of Real Madrid’s goals in Lisbon, had harsh words for his team after defeat to Benfica.
Kylian Mbappé laid into Real Madrid’s performance against Benfica on Wednesday, after Los Blancos missed out on direct qualification for the UEFA Champions League round of 16.
Reds for Real as Mou’s men maul Madrid
Despite Mbappé’s two-goal display, Álvaro Arbeloa’s team was beaten 4-2 in Lisbon, on the final matchday of the Champions League’s 36-club league phase. The visitors lost two players to red cards at the Estádio da Luz - Raúl Asencio and Rodrygo Goes - as they deservedly went down to a side coached by former Madrid boss José Mourinho.
What’s more, Benfica’s four goals included a last-gasp header by the hosts’ goalkeeper, Anatoli Trubin. The Ukrainian’s strike was crucial for Mourinho’s men: it ensured As Águias stayed in Europe’s elite club tournament by virtue of their goal difference.
For Madrid, who had started matchday eight sitting third in the table, defeat in Portugal brought with it a ninth-placed finish. Failure to make the top eight means the 15-time European champions must now negotiate February’s knockout-phase playoff round to reach the last 16.
Mbappé’s postgame comments:
Defeat: “This isn’t about ability and it’s not about tactics. It’s about wanting it more. You couldn’t see that we were playing for our lives out there.”
Hot and cold: “Our performances aren’t consistent enough, and that has to be fixed. We can’t have one good day and one bad day… a trophy-winning team doesn’t do that.”
Outside the top eight: “We deserve to be in this position. Benfica was the better team. It stings a bit to now have to deal with the playoff round. We were hoping to earn some rest.”
Goals conceded: “What we saw today is not normal. The fourth goal was embarrassing […]. We have to fix this, because we were coming off three games at a good level.”
A soccer problem or an attitude problem? “A bit of everything… it’s more general. Benfica wasn’t even in great form, and they still showed you that if you don’t show up with everything you need to win, they’ll run you off the field.”
The fans: “They should come out and support the team. We were bad today, yes, but we’re not eliminated [from the Champions League], and in LaLiga our momentum is actually good right now.”
💣 BRUTAL AUTOCRÍTICA DE MBAPPÉ:
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) January 28, 2026
❌ "NO estamos teniendo CONTINUIDAD".
❌ "Eso NO es de EQUIPO CAMPEÓN". pic.twitter.com/1p7X9O9vFU
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