Mbappé Praises Teammates But Remains Self-Critical Despite Champions League Hat-Trick

Written by Pavel Kateliev

Pavel Kateliev is a popular sport journalist, particularly in the fields of football, basketball, tennis, and hockey. He writes daily for Sportingpedia and his work has been translated into at least 20 languages and featured on renowned outlets such as BBC, Yahoo, MCN, Sun, and Evening News, in Italian, English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

, | Updated: October 1, 2025

Kylian Mbappe frustrated after missing a scoring chance

Key Takeaways:

Real Madrid secured a 5-0 victory over Kairat Almaty in the Champions League as Kylian Mbappé netted a hat-trick and reached 60 goals in the competition
Kylian Mbappé said after the match that the recent defeat to Atlético Madrid in the derby must not be forgotten and cannot be repeated
Mbappé highlighted the importance of teamwork, praising Arda Güler and Thibaut Courtois for their contributions during the match

Champions League Dominance Restores Confidence

Real Madrid responded emphatically in the Champions League, recording a resounding 5-0 victory away to Kairat Almaty. Kylian Mbappé was at the heart of proceedings, scoring three times to extend his personal tally to 60 goals in Europe’s premier club tournament. Despite his individual brilliance on the night, the French international maintained that this result does not erase the memory of the weekend’s defeat in the Madrid derby, where Xabi Alonso’s side suffered their maiden loss of the season to Atlético Madrid.

🚨 Mbappé: “My missed chances? When I have the chance to score 5, I need to score 5 goals, not 3. I always want more.” pic.twitter.com/k7ik4tOnn9
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) September 30, 2025

Focus Remains on Improvements After Derby Setback

Speaking after the final whistle, Mbappé underlined the importance of learning from recent setbacks. “We can never forget what happened. This is another competition, but we must keep thinking about what happened over the weekend so it doesn’t happen again.” He remained candid about both his goalscoring form and his broader contribution to the squad, emphasising: “I work to help the team. If I score, great, and if not, I look to contribute in other ways. What matters most is winning matches and trophies.”

Although he celebrated a hat-trick, Mbappé revealed high standards for himself, stating: “A player like me, when he has five chances, has to score five goals. That’s why Real Madrid signed me. I always want more.”

Developing Key Partnerships on the Pitch

Mbappé also addressed his growing tactical understanding with Arda Güler, referring to the Turkish youngster as “a young player with great quality and talent.” Their interaction on the field was evident throughout the contest, adding a dynamic dimension to Madrid’s attack.

Additionally, he commented on Thibaut Courtois’s pivotal long ball that led to one of his goals. “I don’t know if he meant it, but it was an incredible pass. He did 80 percent and I just did 20,” Mbappé quipped, highlighting the Belgian keeper’s vision and passing ability.

Mbappé’s Relentless Pursuit of Success

The Frenchman’s latest hat-trick further solidified his reputation as one of the Champions League’s most prolific scorers, yet his statements made clear that personal accolades take a back seat to collective silverware. Mbappé’s remarks reflect the intent to keep standards high as Real Madrid look to compete on all fronts, with the result in Kazakhstan providing a timely boost after the Metropolitano setback.