Wenger: Mbappe unfairly made Real Madrid 'scapegoat', will star at World Cup

Arsene Wenger has defended Kylian Mbappe amid a difficult second season at Real Madrid, saying the forward has been unfairly targeted. Mbappe has still scored 42 goals across all competitions, but has faced intense scrutiny and reports of dressing-room tension.

Wenger argued that the Frenchman has become a convenient fall guy as Real move away from the balance they once had. “There’s one man who is at the centre of all expectations: Kylian Mbappe,” he said, adding that Real now have fewer world-class players than before and that football often needs a scapegoat.

The former Arsenal manager believes Mbappe will benefit from being physically fresh ahead of the World Cup. “Kylian has everything it takes to have a great World Cup. He’s physically fresh, he’s not overworked,” Wenger said, contrasting him with players who arrive at tournaments exhausted after long seasons.

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