Tennis legend Rafael Nadal makes Kylian Mbappe ‘best in the world’ prediction as Real Madrid avoid ‘Galactico’ transfer mistake

Mbappe has had his sights locked on those prestigious honours for some time. He made history at Paris Saint-Germain by becoming the club’s all-time leading goalscorer and has graced two World Cup finals with France. The expectation was that he would lead the generation of talent emerging behind all-time greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Frenchman has been billed as a Golden Ball winner of the future ever since making a senior breakthrough while still in his teens. Mbappe is now 26 years of age and still has not earned a billing as the best player on the planet. Time is on his side, though, and he remains in the best possible surroundings when it comes to competing for collective and individual accolades.

That is an opinion shared by tennis great Nadal, who is a big Real Madrid supporter. A man with 22 Grand Slam titles to his name believes that Mbappe is capable of taking up a standing at the very top of the global game. That is where the Blancos expected him to end up when completing a deal that had been mooted for several years.

‘King of Clay’ Nadal told Real Madrid TV when asked for his take on Mbappe, who netted 44 goals across his debut campaign in the Spanish capital: “When Kylian was signed, we knew what we were getting. Kylian was signed, believing he was the best in the world, and he’s having a great start to the season, proving it wasn’t a mistake to think he was the best in the world. He’s going to fight to be that, I’m convinced, and he’ll do so with a great team behind him. I’m especially excited that he’s succeeding like this because I know how excited he was too.”

Mbappe has been back among the goals this season, finding the target on 14 occasions through just 10 appearances. He has been doing his bit to ensure that Real remain in the hunt for major trophies at home and abroad. They are back on top of the Liga table, two points clear of Clasico rivals Barcelona.

One domestic defeat has been suffered in 2025-26, when going down 5-2 in a dramatic derby date with neighbours Atletico Madrid, with Xabi Alonso’s side responding to that setback in style when seeing off 10-man Villarreal. Nadal claims to see cause for optimism, adding: “Xabi is here, he knows the club well, he’s young, with a spectacular resume in Germany.

“He’s started the season and won every match except one. He missed the derby, and it was too big a blow, but it feels like the world is ending. The reality is that I was fully prepared, and Real Madrid will fight for everything. A little calm, let the team work, which is vital, and not just think about the specific moment. We have to keep our sights set on a very long season, with big goals. It was a complicated start, and it’s turning out very well.”

Real have reached another international break, giving them an opportunity to rest and recharge - with the likes of Jude Bellingham, who has recovered from shoulder surgery, getting the chance to work on building their fitness.

The Blancos will return to action on October 19 when making a short trip to Getafe. They will then enter a crucial run of fixtures in domestic and continental competition. Over the course of four games - with three of those taking place at the Bernabeu - Real will face Juventus, Barcelona and Liverpool.