In a heartfelt interview with Universo Valdano, Kylian Mbappé spoke candidly about what it meant to share a locker room with Lionel Messi during their time at Paris Saint-Germain, while also reflecting on his present at Real Madrid, his relationship with Xabi Alonso, and his new physical condition after a transformative summer.

What did Mbappé learn from playing alongside Messi at PSG?

The French forward didn’t hesitate to highlight the profound impact Messi had on his development as a player.

“He really surprised me because he’s such a normal person inside the locker room. He arrived with respect for everyone, and as a player, he’s unique. You had to stay close to him, watch how he touched the ball, how he finished, how he saw the game. Being around him helped me understand football so much better.”

Mbappé admitted that sharing two seasons with the Argentine star was an unexpected privilege.

“It was a blessing to play with Leo. I never thought I would in my career because my dream was always to play for Real Madrid, and I thought he would stay at Barcelona forever. I’m grateful for everything I learned from such a special player.”

How is Mbappé handling his new chapter at Real Madrid?

Now firmly established as Real Madrid’s main star, Mbappé also spoke about his adaptation to life in Spain and the affection he’s received from fans.

“It feels like I’m Spanish because of how much love people show me. When I arrived, the club asked me not to go out too much, but now I see how much privacy is respected here. I was really surprised by how well I’ve been treated since day one.”

The Frenchman explained that after spending his first season under Carlo Ancelotti, working with Xabi Alonso has brought a new kind of challenge.

“They’re very different — two generations of coaches crossing paths. Ancelotti is one of the greatest of all time, while Xabi wants to prove his worth. He’s young, ambitious, and eager to achieve great things, and we all want to help him win every possible title.”

What did he reveal about his physical condition?

Faster and lighter than ever, Mbappé revealed that his body changed significantly after recovering from an illness during the summer.

“I lost seven kilos when I got sick and regained two or three. I’m lighter than last year, and I feel great. It’s an important season with Real Madrid and the national team. We’re starting to understand what the coach wants from us, but we know we still need to improve to reach our goals.”

Confident, mature, and more determined than ever, Kylian Mbappé seems ready to take both Real Madrid and France to new heights — carrying with him the lessons he once learned from a legend named Lionel Messi.