Real Madrid and Kylian Mbappe are bidding to knock Manchester City out of the Champions League – and Steve McManaman thinks the match could also have Ballon d’Or repercussions
Kylian Mbappe has been warned he has to deliver against Manchester City if he wants to land the coveted Ballon d’Or trophy for the first time.
That’s the verdict of Steve McManaman, who will watch on as Mbappe and Real Madrid collide with another of his former clubs on Tuesday night for a place in the Last 16 of the Champions League.
Both Los Blancos and City failed to bag one of the top eight spots in this year’s new-look Champions League format. And that means one of the competition’s biggest teams will crash out in the play-offs, which will take place over the next week.
Real Madrid will be looking to Mbappe to inspire them in the first leg at The Etihad – and McManaman says it’s crucial he steps in up the biggest games if he wants to win the Ballon d’Or for the first time.
“Everything is on the line for both [teams], and individually, everything’s on the line for the players as well,” McManaman told The Mail.
“If you want personal titles, if you’re Kylian Mbappe and you want to be a Ballon d’Or winner in your first year at Madrid, they’re going to need to win [the Champions League].
“Likewise, for individual awards for the Manchester City players, Erling Haaland hasn’t scored against them. He’s going to be up against the inexperienced defenders this time around, so he has to make a big play for himself as well. So, there are loads of little conundrums.”
Join the debate! How do you think the game between City and Real will go? Let us know here
While City have endured a fairly disastrous Champions League campaign to date, finishing perilously close to the elimination places, they will welcome a Real Madrid side experiencing a defensive crisis.
And with a host of recognised names set to be absent when Haaland and Co take to the field, McManaman says Real’s injury lists puts City’s own woes into perspective, with the Premier League champions hoping to make up for their disappointing Premier League campaign by winning a second Champions League crown.
He added: “They are meeting a Real Madrid absolutely decimated defensively. Dani Carvajal is out, [David] Alaba’s out, [Antonio] Rudiger is out, Eder Militao is out.
“City can’t complain necessarily about their injury problems when you can reel off a list of defenders missing the game like that.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Learn more
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £192 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
