Figo Claims Mbappé's Arrival Has Injected Selfishness Into Real Madrid Squad

Luis Figo isn't mincing words. The Portuguese legend and Ballon d'Or winner believes Real Madrid's disappointing campaign comes down to locker room issues, and he's pointing directly at Kylian Mbappé as the source. In a candid interview with MARCA as a Laureus Academy member, Figo delivered the kind of straight talk rarely heard from former players.

"Mbappé's arrival has filled the Real Madrid dressing room with selfishness," Figo stated. It's a harsh assessment of a player the Spanish giants chased for years, investing massive resources and political capital to secure his signature. Regardless of Mbappé's individual statistics, if his presence has created divisions within the squad, that represents a fundamental issue — one that's reflected in the team's performances.

Alonso Never Received Adequate Time

Regarding the mid-season coaching switch from Xabi Alonso to Álvaro Arbeloa, Figo was equally direct: "I don't think he has had time. We haven't even had time to make an analysis of the months he has been here. It's very complicated."

This isn't necessarily an endorsement of Alonso's tactical approach. Rather, it's an acknowledgment that fairly evaluating a coaching stint that was terminated prematurely is essentially impossible. The decision-makers at the Bernabéu clearly acted without much patience — or sufficient evidence to justify the change.

"The reality is that it is a bad season," Figo continued. "For Madrid, if you don't win, it's always a negative season. When titles are missing, it's because things weren't working." There's little room for debate there. A club with Real Madrid's winning culture doesn't get to rebrand failure as a rebuilding phase.

PSG and Bayern His Champions League Favourites

With the semi-finals approaching, Figo identified his tournament favourites without hesitation: Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. "They are two very strong teams. I like their way of playing football, but anything can happen."

From a wagering standpoint, both clubs have demonstrated the knockout round consistency that warrants favourable odds. PSG especially have transformed into a different beast this European run — more organized tactically, less reliant on individual magic. Bayern's relentless machine continues churning.

Figo also offered his take on the 2026 World Cup landscape, positioning Portugal as an intriguing contender — not among the traditional powerhouses, but genuinely threatening based on current squad quality. He identified France, Spain, Brazil, and England as the frontrunners, notably placing Argentina below its typical elite status in his assessment.

Regarding Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, his praise was succinct: "It's incredible. He's an incredible talent." At just 17 years old, Yamal is already forcing defenders to completely adjust their approach when facing Barcelona's attack. His career baseline is already higher than most professionals ever achieve.