“He is one of the most intelligent people I have seen in my life. He is a leader.”

That was how the Frenchman described his new head coach in a long interview with the Spanish daily AS, published on Thursday evening. The picture, he said, had been built from day-to-day contact rather than reputation alone.

“When we see him every day, we understand that he is a very special person and a legendary coach, who marked his era and will continue to do so with us.”

Mourinho is the fourth Real Madrid head coach Mbappé has worked under since he arrived at the club. The striker refused to separate them.

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“Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso, Arbeloa and Mourinho? The four are important figures in football. It’s always a privilege to be part of their trajectory.”

The Portuguese returned to the Real Madrid dugout on 13 July on a three-year deal, announced on 11 June, 13 years after leaving the club in 2013. He replaced Álvaro Arbeloa.

No number, just goals

Mbappé said Mourinho had given him one simple brief for the season.

“No, he didn’t tell me any number, he just told me to score goals.”

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The Frenchman has taken the instruction literally, with eight goals and three assists in seven matches across all competitions. Real Madrid have won six of those seven, including a 4-1 win over Rayo Vallecano and a 2-1 Champions League victory over Inter Milan.

Mbappé wants the Ballon d’Or back at Madrid

The interview also produced the season’s clearest ambition from the striker.

“The Ballon d’Or must return to the Bernabéu.”

“We didn’t win anything last season, and the fans are already bored of that.”

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Mourinho’s first derby back

The endorsement lands before the first Madrid derby of Mourinho’s second spell. Kick-off at Riyadh Air Metropolitano is on Sunday, 20 September, at 4:15pm local time.

Julián Álvarez is out for Atlético with a muscle strain, while Mourinho will be without Éder Militão, Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy through injury.

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