Fernando Morientes has backed Real Madrid’s decision not to rope in French teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe, claiming the PSG player must prove that he is good enough to play for the the Los Blancos.
Madrid were in pole position to land Mbappe this summer, but the Los Blancos bosses cooled their interest in the French wonder-kid and PSG pounced upon the opportunity and roped in the teenage forward on an initial loan deal from Monaco, with an obligation to buy next summer.
A section of Real Madrid fans were disappointed when the club decided not to pursue Mbappe but former Madrid and Monaco star Morientes believes that the Los Blancos, who had a successful last season after winning the La Liga and Champions League double did not need the French teenager.
“Given the fact that Real had an exceptional last season, there was no need to buy too many players,” he said at an event in Abu Dhabi.
“Usually, when you are in need of bringing a new player, you [buy] at the end of a bad season. In my view, Real have done the right thing by not opting for a major change.”
“Mbappe is a fantastic player and he has an opportunity to take his game to another level. Only then will he get a chance to play in a team like Real Madrid.”
“To play for Madrid, you really have to be at the top of the game and should be one of the best around.”
Morientes believes that PSG are one of the favourites to win the Champions League this season but insisted that Unai Emery’s men need to go a long way before they prove themselves to be better than Zinedine Zidane’s side.
“PSG are clearly one of the favourites to win the Champions League,” he added.
“But, to reach the level where Real Madrid are, you not only need good players but also need to make sure they play as a team. We have to wait and see if they can do that.”