Kylian Mbappe welcomes Madrid criticism
Kylian Mbappe says he should be no exception to criticism at Real Madrid as he allayed fears that his focus is already on the World Cup with France.
Mbappe has had his game time managed since December due to a recurring knee issue and missed five matches earlier this month due to the injury.
He returned for Madrid prior to the international break and made his mark for France in its 2-1 friendly win over Brazil earlier this week, scoring Les Bleus' opening goal.
Despite missing 10 games in total since last summer's Club World Cup, Mbappe is Madrid's top scorer in all competitions, netting 38 times in 35 appearances and averaging a goal every 76 minutes.
Madrid returns to LaLiga action away to Mallorca on 4 April, sitting four points behind leader Barcelona, while Los Blancos are also in the hunt for the Champions League, facing Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.
Mbappe insisted his focus is firmly on those tasks as he aims to end the season with silverware in hand.
"In Spain, they're a little worried about that, that I won't play, and that I'll go straight to the World Cup," he said. "The best way to prepare is to win everything with Madrid beforehand.
"Real Madrid is like a religion for people in Spain; they are very passionate, and there is a lot of talk and speculation, sometimes justified, but sometimes not.
"You have to know how to deal with criticism because everyone at Real Madrid has been criticised. [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Alfredo] Di Stefano, so I don't see why I should be an exception.
"You simply have to stay calm, concentrate on what you have to do, and tell yourself how you can improve your performance on the pitch."
Madrid has faced Bayern 22 times in the Champions League before, winning 11 of those meetings and is unbeaten in its last nine clashes.
Mbappe has netted three goals against Bayern in seven previous matches against them – all with Paris Saint-Germain – and he is relishing the blockbuster clash at the Santiago Bernabeu on 7 April.
"We have to play against Bayern, who I think are the most in-form team in Europe right now, but if there's anyone who can beat that kind of team, it's Real Madrid," he said.
"For me, what's coming up is extremely important, because we're very involved in the Champions League and also in LaLiga."
