Capello: “Mbappé needed three months to find out what Madrid is about”

The former Real Madrid coach spoke ahead of the  Laureus Awards and praised Ancelotti: “He’s the best”.

Fabio Capello, who like Carlo Ancelotti returned for a second spell as Real Madrid coach (1996/1997 and 2006/2007), was full of praise for his compatriot during a visit to the Spanish capital this week.

Ancelotti is the best, says Capello

Capello, who is back Madrid for the Laureus Awards nomination ceremony, believes Carletto is the best manager in the world. According to the Italian, Ancelotti’s expertise in football, ability to manage the team, and tactical acumen make him unparalleled in his field. He also highlighted Ancelotti’s dedication and credited him for significantly aiding Kylian Mbappé‘s adaptation to Real Madrid.

Capello emphasized that the most crucial quality in a coach is understanding the resources at hand and having a clear vision of where to go — a skill Ancelotti has mastered. Speaking at Monday’s event, Capello also lauded Mbappé, calling him an extraordinary player who has overcome early criticism to prove his exceptional talent.

Regarding Madrid’s emerging young players, such as Raúl Asencio, Capello expressed confidence in their quality, noting that their presence in the team is a testament to their talent, though patience is needed for their development.

Capello also commented on Barcelona’s rising star, Lamine Yamal. While acknowledging the comparisons to Lionel Messi, he noted that Yamal lacks Messi’s genius but is still a top-tier player achieving remarkable feats at a young age.

Madrid derby in the Champions League

Regarding the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 derby between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, set to take place this Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabéu, Capello shared his thoughts on the matchup.

He believes Madrid’s experience in high-stakes games gives them an edge, but he also acknowledged Diego Simeone’s exceptional ability to prepare his team for such encounters.

“It’s going to be tough for both sides, as always. A derby is a different kind of match. I think Madrid’s experience in these situations helps them, and their players have a unique quality. However, ‘Cholo’ [Simeone] prepares his team very well, and it will be difficult for Madrid to win this game,” Capello reasoned. He also admitted that it’s hard to predict a clear favorite in this particular tie.

Regarding the title race in LaLiga, with Barcelona leading by one point over Atlético and three points ahead of Real Madrid, with twelve matchdays remaining, the Italian shared his thoughts: “LaLiga is at a very exciting moment, both for football and for the fans, and every match matters. Personally, I believe Madrid will win it.”