Kylian Mbappe defends his role at Real Madrid amid criticism

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has dismissed recent criticism regarding his defensive contributions and off-the-ball movement. The 27-year-old noted in an interview that public scrutiny often focuses on what he fails to provide because of his consistent history of scoring. Mbappe has recorded five goals in five matches during the current LaLiga season, following a period where he tallied 91 goals in 108 appearances for the club over two years. While some observers argue his pressing numbers negatively impact the team, the player maintained that a striker who scores goals serves the fundamental objective of the sport. He expressed that he does not take the critiques personally and will continue to make decisions he deems necessary for his performance. Manager Jose Mourinho faces the challenge of integrating Mbappe into the team's defensive structure without hindering his scoring impact.

• 7:45 AMYahoo Sports — Kylian Mbappe responds to criticism over his Real Madrid role: “A player who scores goals will never be a problem”
• 7:45 AMYahoo Sports — Kylian Mbappe fires back at critics over his Real Madrid role: ‘A player who scores goals will never be the problem’