Kylian Mbappe was ridiculed by his Real Madrid team-mates ahead of their European Super Cup clash with Atalanta after enduring a nightmare in the the warm-up. The 25-year-old was named in Carlo Ancelotti’s starting XI for the game in Warsaw, handing him a competitive debut following his summer move from PSG.
But just minutes before kick-off, the French international struggled to score past keeper Thibaut Courtois as players took it in turns to take shots.
He was then mocked by fellow players ahead of his final effort, and pretended to leave the field when it was saved.
On TNT Sports, pundit Rio Ferdinand explained: “He must have missed a few shots and they were giving him the ‘ole’ shouts before he was shooting. He missed his last shot then said ‘I’m going in now’ as if he was going to leave it there.”
And Ferdinand then suggested the scenes were an early sign that Mbappe would have to get used to a different environment at Madrid. “He’s been the alpha male at teams for a long time now,” he continued.
“And I wouldn’t have imagined he’d have been ridiculed like this so much in open sessions. But he’s laughing, he’s messing about, so I think he’s taken that well.
“But that’s going to be a key component as to whether he does well here or not, and whether he’ll remain successful. Having that humility, that ability to laugh at yourself a little bit like that and be humble enough to say ‘listen guys I’m here to learn and become a champion with Real Madrid’.
“Because these guys know how to do it. And that’s a huge part of being able to come into a team like this and integrate yourself into a squad.”
Ferdinand had earlier lavished praise on the striker though, saying: “If he does the things here that he did at PSG then it’s over (for everyone else).”
When the game got started, Mbappe had an early chance to open his club account. He latched onto Federico Valverde’s cutback, only to see his close-range effort blocked.
Victory would hand Real a record-breaking sixth Super Cup win. It would also signify a first winners medal for Mbappe, who is playing in the fixture for the first time in his career.