Jorge Valdano: “Mbappé is not a problem for Real Madrid, he’s a solution”

Jorge Valdano has joined the group of soccer legends who will cover the 2026 FIFA World Cup for Telemundo, the exclusive Spanish-language broadcaster of the tournament. The former Argentina star, who won the World Cup in 1986, will join Alejandro Bedoya, Carlos Salcido, Iván Zamorano, Iván Ramiro Córdoba and Diego Lugano to analyze all 104 games of the tournament, which will take place across the United States, Mexico and Canada between June 11 and July 19.

Real Madrid legend covering the World Cup

The Real Madrid legend spoke exclusively with AS USA Latino about the club’s current situation and the criticism Kylian Mbappé has faced since arriving at Valdebebas. Although Madrid has failed to win major titles in the two seasons since the Frenchman signed, Valdano believes the team’s issues go far beyond one player.

The new Telemundo analyst also discussed how the criticism could affect Mbappé with the French national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and praised the incredible generation currently available to Les Bleus.

Kylian Mbappé is not the problem at Real Madrid

“When it comes to Mbappé, there’s one thing that’s narrative and another that’s reality,” Valdano began. “He’s a goal-scoring machine and he’s maintained that level all year long. Another thing entirely is Real Madrid not winning titles and him being blamed more than anyone else simply because he’s the biggest star.”

“Very often we look for simple answers to very complex problems. Madrid has several problems. The last of those problems is Mbappé. Mbappé is not a problem, he’s a solution, and specifically a goal-scoring solution, which is the hardest thing to find in soccer,” he added in his assessment of the French striker.

France one of the favorites for the World Cup

Valdano also highlighted France as one of the favorites for the 2026 World Cup.

“France has 30 elite-level players and an extremely high degree of reliability. They were champions in Russia, runners-up in Qatar, and only eliminated on penalties. We’re talking about a national team that has inherited the kind of consistency we used to associate with Germany.”

He also argued that Paris Saint-Germain reaching the Champions League final on May 30 could hurt Portugal more than France because of the number of Portuguese players in the PSG squad.

Messi and Cristiano should be enjoyed, not compared

Valdano also reflected on Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who are expected to play in their sixth World Cup with Argentina and Portugal respectively.

Both players have defined an era at club and international level, and Valdano believes fans should appreciate them rather than constantly compare them.

“I’m one of those people who says: don’t compare them, enjoy them,” he explained. “Every era is different. Maradona’s era was different, Pelé’s era was different, and now we’re watching two monsters of soccer that very few players will ever be able to emulate for so long.”

“They have defined 20 years of world soccer. I think the rivalry between them benefited both players. Each one felt challenged by the other from a distance, and both pushed their talent to the absolute limit. It was a fierce rivalry, but one that was very healthy for soccer.”

Valdano emphasized how extraordinary it is for both stars to potentially appear at another World Cup close to the age of 40.

“The fact they could play in a sixth World Cup at nearly 40 years old is an enormous achievement. It speaks not only to their quality as players, but also to their professionalism.”

Argentina and Portugal among World Cup favorites

“Yes, I believe both teams are among the few real favorites,” Valdano said. “If I had to name five contenders, Argentina and Portugal would both be there. In fact, Portugal would be the only one among those favorites that has never won a World Cup.”

Valdano admitted he felt emotional watching Messi finally lift the trophy in Qatar.

“In Qatar we saw Messi crowned world champion. That gave me huge relief because during that tournament I was supporting both Argentina and Messi equally. I wanted Argentina to win, but I also desperately wanted Messi to get that title.”

“Football owes Cristiano Ronaldo a World Cup”

Jorge Valdano

He then floated the idea of a poetic ending for Cristiano Ronaldo.

“There would be a kind of poetic justice if Cristiano ended up winning this next tournament. But to become world champion, talent and greatness alone are not enough. Everything also has to align perfectly. We’ll have to wait and see what destiny decides, because destiny is also an important part of soccer.”

Guillermo Ochoa and Mexico’s World Cup hopes

Another player who could appear at a sixth World Cup is Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. Valdano praised Ochoa’s career and also discussed Mexico’s hopes of finally reaching the famous “fifth game” at a World Cup.

“It’s difficult not to turn the World Cup into an obsession, even if you’re playing in it for the first time,” Valdano said. “It’s the greatest experience a soccer player can have. Memo Ochoa should feel proud of an achievement as enormous as playing in six World Cups, something almost unheard of in soccer history. That speaks not only to his quality, but also to his professionalism.”

“As for Mexico, the passion remains intact and they’ll also have the boost of playing at home. We’ll have to see whether that helps them emotionally or creates extra nerves. Hopefully, like in 1986, they come closer than ever to finally reaching that long-awaited fifth game,” Valdano concluded.

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