Since Kylian Mbappé joined Real Madrid, rumors of a supposed rift with Vinícius Jr. have never stopped circulating. The press and part of the fanbase have pointed to salary differences, the battle for the leading role in the squad, and even the overlap in positions as reasons behind a potential rivalry. However, the French striker himself has put those speculations to rest with statements and gestures that show quite the opposite.

A gesture louder than criticism

During training camp with the French national team, Mbappé approached fans after a session to sign autographs. At that moment, a young boy asked him if Vinícius was nice. The Frenchman’s reply was clear and with a smile: “Yes, he’s nice, very nice.” Those simple words were enough to show that the relationship between the two stars is cordial.

This isn’t the first time Mbappé has denied the rumors. A few weeks ago, he stated that he came to Real Madrid with the goal of sharing the locker room with the Brazilian: “I can’t imagine Madrid without Vini. We play well together and can do even better. People expect a lot from us, and that’s normal—we’re at a decisive point in the season and we want to help the team.”

These comments make it clear that, far from hostility, there is respect and cooperation between two of the biggest attacking forces in world football.

Xabi Alonso’s challenge with his stars

The debate about how players of this stature coexist seems inevitable. The battle for stardom and constant comparisons with other football icons create fertile ground for speculation. Still, both Mbappé and Vinícius have reiterated that their focus is collective: winning trophies with Real Madrid and aiming for the 2026 World Cup.

With Xabi Alonso in charge, the challenge is to blend two footballers with different yet complementary styles into the same attacking system. The Brazilian, long accustomed to the spotlight since breaking into the first team, has shown his best form in recent seasons, while the Frenchman has already begun making an impact at the Santiago Bernabéu with the scoring numbers to back his leadership.

Mbappé’s words dismantle the narrative of rivalry and make it clear that, at least publicly, both share the ambition of lifting Real Madrid to the very top in every competition.