Mbappe backs Jose Mourinho to restore Real Madrid’s trophy-winning era

Kylian Mbappe says Real Madrid are “delighted” to have Jose Mourinho back as head coach and is confident the club will return to winning major silverware this season.

Mourinho has returned to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu for the first time in 13 years, having previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013.

During his first spell in charge, the Portuguese guided the club to LaLiga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana success. His league-winning team collected 100 points in the 2011-12 season, a record level at the time.

Only one other side in LaLiga history has reached a century of points, with Barcelona achieving the feat during the 2012-13 campaign.

Real Madrid have given Mourinho significant backing since his return to the Spanish capital. Yan Diomande, Marc Cucurella, Carlos Espi, Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate and Bernardo Silva have all joined the club during the current transfer window.

Mourinho will also be able to rely on Mbappe, who has finished as LaLiga’s leading scorer in each of the past two seasons. The France forward scored 31 goals in 2024-25 before adding 25 in 2025-26.

Only seven players have won LaLiga’s Golden Boot in three consecutive seasons. Lionel Messi is the only player to have achieved that in the 21st century, doing so five times in a row between 2016-17 and 2020-21.

Mbappe believes Mourinho’s experience and methods can help him improve further, while also bringing the best out of the rest of the Real Madrid squad.

“I think it’s very positive to have a coach like Mourinho, who knows how to win, who knows how to give directions for us to do that.

“Every player is delighted to have a coach who knows where he is going. It is very positive for us.

“We spoke a lot during the World Cup, and [the staff] have spoken to me since then, even if I have only been here for a few days.”

Real Madrid begin their new LaLiga campaign away against Espanyol on 22 August. The club are under pressure to challenge for the biggest honours after failing to win LaLiga, the Copa del Rey or the Champions League in each of the past two seasons.

The last occasion on which Real Madrid went three successive campaigns without winning any of those three trophies was from 2003-04 to 2005-06.

Mbappe said he welcomed the expectation that comes with playing for Real Madrid, having joined the club in pursuit of major honours.

“For me, it was a dream to come here. I know how to enjoy the present and I know how lucky I am.

“But here, we have to win titles. It’s time to prepare properly and feel ready for the first game.

“I’m sure that we’re going to win titles again, that’s what we want and it’s going to happen.

“I feel a team that wants to do that. We’re going to be focused all year round, to bring joy to all Madridistas.”