"It will be a difficult year" - Barcelona fan Max Verstappen makes admission about new season after Real Madrid sign Kylian Mbappe
F1 driver Max Verstappen has said that the next season will be difficult for Barcelona following Kylian Mbappe's arrival at Real Madrid. The Frenchman signed for Los Blancos as a free agent outfit following a seven-year stint with PSG.
Mbappe was presented as a Real Madrid player at the Santiago Bernabeu on July 16 in front of at least 80,000 people. A video surfaced, showing him uttering the phrase - 'Uno, Dos, Tres, HALA MADRID!', a phrase made immortal by Cristiano Ronaldo when he joined the club in 2009.
The 25-year-old forward has been linked with a move to Los Blancos since announcing his switch from AS Monaco to PSG. He came close to signing for the Spanish outfit last year as well, but a move didn't materialise.
His fate was more or less sealed after PSG were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League semi-final by Borussia Dortmund, losing 2-0 on aggregate.
Max Verstappen, who has been an ardent follower of the Blaugrana, said about what lies aahead for Barcelona following Mbappe's arrival (via Barca Universal):
"I think it will be a difficult year. If you see how Madrid signs players in all positions. … Of course I will always be a Barcelona fan no matter what, but I think you also have to be realistic about the competition, right?
"I think it will be a difficult season again, but you always have to believe. Barcelona also have a good team and now with the new coach you never know what could happen."
Barcelona sacked manager Xavi in May following a turbulent last season. Real Madrid, on the flip side, won La Liga and a record-extending 15th UEFA Champions League title.
What did Max Verstappen say about Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal?
Max Verstappen said about Lamine Yamal's performance in Euro 2024 that things are much easier for players when they're playing well at a young age.
He, however, added that the Barca youngster needs to keep grinding to remain consistent:
"Advice to Lamine? I think that when you are so young you play based on your talent, you have fun, and when you are very good, things are much easier for you.
"That doesn't mean you don't have to work hard because you still have to work hard to get to the top at such a young age."
Yamal scored for Spain against France in the semi-final of Euro 2024, helping the La Roja win 2-1. Spain went on to become the first nation to win the Euro four times, beating England 2-1 in the final.