Hungry Mbappe eyes first Clasico win with Madrid
Kylian Mbappe has started the 2025-2026 season in great form, and the Real Madrid star is hoping to make a difference in El Clasico and win it for the first time since his move to Los Blancos.
Madrid is currently leading the way in LaLiga, two points ahead of Barcelona after nine games, and has only lost one game all season – a 5-2 humbling at the hands of Atletico Madrid in the another big derby.
Mbappe has been key to Madrid's early success, scoring in all but one league game so far this season, but he did have two goals disallowed in that match against Mallorca.
The France star has scored 11 goals in eight appearances against Barcelona in all competitions, including five in his four Clasico matches; it is his most against a non-French side in his club career.
Yet the 26-year-old is yet to be on the winning side against Barcelona since his move to Spain, and he understands the task at hand for Xabi Alonso's side.
"This is a big week for us. It was an important match against Juventus [in the UEFA Champions League], but Sunday's [Monday AEDT] game is special," Mbappe said.
"We hope the fans will get behind us and cheer us on as they always do. They know how important this game is, and we do too – we hope it'll be a great day.
"It's the match everyone wants to see. There's no bigger game than this one on a club level.
"It can only be compared to a huge Champions League game, but in terms of league matches, there's nothing like Real Madrid-Barcelona. But we don't just want to play it, we want to win it.
"I feel great. I always want to help the team – if that's by scoring goals, then so be it, and if it's in another way, then that's fine too. I'm following the same path as the team.
"The team always needs every player to help out, and I always try and do that. The team is ready for whatever happens. This is a crucial month for us. It's a big game, but the rest of the month is important too.
"We're going to do what is demanded of Madrid, which is to win and play well for all the Madridistas."























