After criticism from the media and fans, a La Liga legend has defended Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe.

The French forward has delivered goals and decisive performances throughout the season, but this season has been dominated by uncertainty surrounding his knee woes.

If he scores five goals at the 2026 World Cup in North America, Mbappe, currently on 12, would overtake Miroslav Klose (16) to become, at the age of 27, the tournament’s all-time top scorer.

The forward sought a second medical opinion in France as he pushes to be fit for a decisive Champions League clash.

Kylian Mbappe is a World Cup-winning global superstar in his own right, but can the Real Madrid 'Galactico' be considered to have eclipsed the legend of fellow Frenchman Thierry Henry? Jeremie Aliadiere - a former Arsenal teammate of another 'Invincible' in north London - has explained why all-time lists will always be influenced by generational favoritism.