Xavi gave a press conference on Wednesday to look ahead to Barcelona’s Europa League debut, but the Spanish press seemed more preoccupied with other matters. Helena Condis, radio station journalist Cadena COPE, wanted to know from Xavi if Kylian Mbappe is the best player in the world. The slightly irritated Barça coach then embarrassed the journalist with a question in return and got the laughs on his hand in the press room.
Mbappe made a big impression on Tuesday evening by deciding the Champions League smasher against Real Madrid (1-0 for Paris Saint-Germain) with a beautiful action. Condis was happy to discuss this with Xavi. “You must have been annoyed watching the Champions League games from the couch yesterday, wouldn’t you?” she opened. “How did you look at Mbappe? Do you think he is the best player in the world right now?”
Xavi seems somewhat surprised and after a short silence says: “But it’s not for me to talk about Mbappe. Talk about my own players. Let’s see, what names do you have for me? Come on!” said the trainer smiling and at the same time slightly irritated and challenging. The press room feasted on Xavi’s answer, which Condis had clearly not counted on.
“Well… The names of the future?” she stammered. “Pedri, just coming to watch, Ferran Torres.” Xavi reacts with a smile and defiantly: “What do you think of Pedri? Tell me!” Condis, somewhat hesitantly, “I think he plays well. The other day he scored while you were on the field for barely two minutes.” Xavi responds in agreement: “Phenomenal, indeed. We are on the mend and we have gone in the right direction. With our own players.”
However, Condis does not give up and makes one last attempt. “What about Mbappe? How would you see him as a Barca player?” Xavi: “Mbappe is an amazing player. Just like Messi and Neymar. What do you want me to tell you? PSG have a great team, Real Madrid have a great team. But unfortunately we are not in that league. Of course I am very disappointed that we are not playing the Champions League. I am very competitive and have a winning mentality. Of course it bothers me that we were eliminated early. Of course we should have been there. But don’t ask me about Mbappe anymore.”