Real Madrid have finally secured Kylian Mbappe’s signature, and Barcelona president Joan Laporta admits it’s not good news for their El Clasico rivals. The French superstar was linked with Los Blancos for most of his stay at PSG. His arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu will happen next month once Euro 2024 concludes.
Kylian Mbappe, 25, is one of Europe’s most potent frontmen and finished his PSG career as the Ligue 1 giants’ top scorer. The seven-time Ligue 1 champion posted 44 goals and 10 assists in 48 games this season, amounting to an overall tally of 256 goals and 108 assists in 308 club games at the Parc des Princes.
Real Madrid dethroned Barcelona as La Liga champions, and they have arguably made the biggest signing of the summer. The Blaugrana would never have managed to rival their El Clasico foes for Mbappe, given the finances involved. The Catalans are still struggling financially, which has led them to rely on their La Masia academy in recent years.
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Joan Laporta gave his stance on Mbappe’s move to Madrid, and although he admitted it was problematic, the Spaniard pointed out Barca’s academy (via transfer expert Fabrizio Romano):
“As Barça fan, it’s not good news to see Mbappé to Real Madrid”. “But to be honest, I prefer our strategy to trust a project with players produced and made in La Masia”. “I respect our rivals but I keep our Philosophy.”
Barcelona‘s La Masia academy is perhaps football’s most prestigious, producing talents such as Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Sergio Busquets. A new generation has emerged from the youth system, with Lamine Yamal, 16, Fermin Lopez, 21, and Pau Cubarsi, 17, breaking into the Blaugrana’s first team.
“Lamine is better” – Barcelona starlet’s ex-coach makes bold claim about Lamine Yamal being superior to Real Madrid new-boy Kylian Mbappe
Lamine Yamal came through the La Masia academy but he started his youth career at CF La Torreta before heading to Catalonia. He’s quickly made the step up to Barcelona’s first team, flourishing with seven goals and 10 assists in 51 games since becoming the club’s youngest-ever debutant. He’s also the Catalans and Spain’s youngest goalscorer in history.
The exciting Barca winger’s former La Torreta coach, Inocente Diaz, waxed lyrical about the rising star last month. He claimed the six-cap Spain international was better than Kylian Mbappe and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi (via Tribuna):
“Mbappe will have to fight to surpass him. Lamine is better than Mbappe. The Frenchman has a lot of publicity because he will sign for Real Madrid, but the future lies in Lamine Yamal. In six years Lamine will win the Ballon d’Or. He is better than Messi. He has more conditions.”
Kylian Mbappe is arguably Europe’s most wanted frontman; hence, PSG played hardball with Real Madrid over the France captain for several years. He won the FIFA World Cup in 2018 aged 19, and won the 2022 World Cup Golden Boot ahead of Lionel Messi.
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