NBA superstar Luka Doncic reacts to Kylian Mbappe's Real Madrid transfer and predicts surprise Euro 2024 winners
In a recent press conference, NBA superstar Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks) said he was already aware of Kylian Mbappe's transfer to Real Madrid. He also predicted that his home nation Slovenia would lift the upcoming European Championship title.
Slovenian basketball phenom Doncic came up through Real Madrid Baloncesto's academy and played for the senior team from 2015 to 2018. After his impressive run in the EuroLeague, he was drafted third overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA Draft and was immediately traded to the Mavericks.
He has led the Texas-based side to the NBA Finals for the first time in 13 years in his sixth season in the league. His side fell to a 107-89 loss against the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series on June 7.
Ahead of Game 2 of the Finals, a reporter asked Doncic (via NBA's X handle):
"Kylian Mbappe went to Real recently, I wonder if you had a reaction to that?"
The 25-year-old replied:
"I already knew it."
The reporter followed up with another question:
"Do you have a prediction for the upcoming Euros?"
With a slight smile and a shrug, Luka said:
"Slovenia."
Mbappe's transfer to Real Madrid was announced on June 3, with the Frenchman set to join the club on June 30 upon the expiration of his Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) contract. The long-anticipated move has generated incredible buzz all over the sporting world, with everyone waiting to see how his Los Blancos career pans out.
Meanwhile, Luka Doncic's home nation Slovenia has been drawn into a tricky EURO group alongside Denmark, Serbia, and one of the pre-tournament favourites, England. It would not be bold to assume that a minor miracle will be required for the Jan Oblak-led side to lift the title.
"Opinion is free" - Tottenham star Cuti Romero reacts to Real Madrid-bound Kylian Mbappe's claim of the Euros being harder than the World Cup
Tottenham Hotspur and Argentina superstar Cristian Romero reacted to Kylian Mbappe's claim that the Euros are harder to win than the World Cup.
The Frenchman had recently said (via Yahoo Sports):
"The Euros are complicated. For me, more complicated than a World Cup. Even if there is more pressure at the World Cup. All the teams know each other, we play against each other all the time. Tactically, it is a very similar soccer."
In a recent interview with Argentine outlet MDZ, Romero was asked about Mbappe's claims. He replied:
"They are each person's opinions, they are respected. The World Cup is the most difficult competition that I have had to play in... I cannot explain what that happens inside you when you win a World Cup. I think it is the most difficult, but each person can give their opinion what they want. Opinion is free and if for them other things are more complicated that is fine."