Former PSG Manager Has Strong Take on Real Madrid Star Kylian Mbappé

Former PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino was talking with Josep Pedrerol on “El Cafelito” about his time in the French capital.

Former PSG manager backs Kylian Mbappé

(Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Although there’s debate over whether the Frenchman can lead, Pochettino insists he can take on a leadership role. With Real Madrid seeing veteran players depart over the years, a leadership vacuum has emerged, and Pochettino suggests the attacker could step in to fill it.

“Mbappé is a leader,” Pochettino said. “Now, he’s a certain type of leader. He’s a different kind of leader compared to Neymar, Sergio Ramos, or [Lionel] Messi. Each one has their own leadership qualities. To understand that, you need to know how to position your players behind him.”

🌟 "¿MBAPPÉ? En el PSG le BRILLABAN los OJOS por el REAL MADRID".

☕️ Pochettino entrenó a Kylian y habla de él en 'El Cafelito' de @jpedrerol.

¡Este jueves a las 15:30h en nuestras redes sociales! pic.twitter.com/5bNfIieqTb

— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) September 2, 2025

This season will determine if the former PSG star is a leader. Gone are the veterans like Luka Moric at Real Madrid, and on the French national team, he’s the captain ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. Many will ask, can Mbappé be at the forefront of winning trophies this season?