Kylian Mbappe has expressed his eagerness to work under Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid this season, declaring that the squad is determined to end a two-year wait for major silverware. The French striker made the comments in an interview published on Friday with Real Madrid TV, ahead of the club's new campaign.

Mbappe on Mourinho's arrival

Mbappe revealed that he had been in regular contact with the Portuguese manager, who has returned to the Santiago Bernabeu for a second spell after being appointed at the start of the summer. The striker described the conversations as highly encouraging.

'We spoke a lot during the World Cup, and he explained a lot of things to me,' Mbappe said. 'I think it's very positive to have a coach like that, who knows how to win and knows how to give the direction on how to win. I think every player is delighted to have a coach who knows where he's going, and that's positive for us.'

The pressure of two title-less seasons

Mbappe did not shy away from acknowledging the weight of expectation on the squad following back-to-back seasons with little to celebrate. 'We have to win,' he admitted plainly, before adding with confidence: 'This year we're going to win titles again. That's what we want, and that's what's going to happen.'

The striker also stressed the collective motivation within the dressing room. 'I feel that the team is motivated and we're going to be focused all year, because there's nothing more important than winning titles with the team, feeling that joy, and bringing joy to the fans,' he said.

World Cup top scorer eyes sharp pre-season

Mbappe, who finished as the top scorer at this summer's World Cup, highlighted the importance of a short but intense pre-season in shaping his readiness. Real Madrid open their league campaign away to Espanyol on 22 August.

'Now is the time when we can work the hardest. Later, when the matches start, we have to manage the workload more. It's time to go all out and get a feel for things so I'm ready for the first league match,' Mbappe concluded.

What this means for Real Madrid

Mourinho's return to Madrid is widely seen as a high-stakes appointment, tasked with restoring the club's competitiveness after a difficult two-year stretch. With Mbappe — one of the world's most lethal forwards — publicly backing the coach's philosophy, the partnership carries significant expectations heading into the new season. Whether the duo can translate pre-season optimism into tangible trophies will be the defining question of Real Madrid's campaign.