Mbappe Visits His Club That Is Fighting In Ligue 2 During Real Madrid Holiday

JAKARTA - Kylian Mbappe wore his hat and made a surprise visit to his club struggling in Ligue 2, Stade Malherbe Caen, on Thursday, February 20, 2025, local time.

Real Madrid forwards, who acquired Caen's majority stake last summer, took advantage of his Spanish holiday and went to Caen to encourage coaches and players with teams facing possible relegation.

"I want to show my support. To connect with everyone so they know they can count on me, especially in the situations we face."

"If I were here, it was because I believed in this project. I wanted to come earlier, but it was impossible."

"I told them (the team) that I was with them and that they should believe".

"I saw a group of people who didn't want to resign and wanted to change the results," Mbappe told reporters.

Mbappe's visit comes just two days after the club's decision to sack Manager Bruno Baltazar on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, and appoint Michel Der Zakarian as his successor.

Baltazar, who just took over the job in December 2024 after the sacking of player Caen Nicolas Seube, failed to reverse the results.

Caen has not won since November 2, 2024 and lost 0-1 on Monday, February 17, 2025, at Annecy FC was their ninth league defeat in a row.

Mbappe realized from the start how challenging his ownership with Caen fans was by Seube's dismissal.

In the team's first match in 2025, Caen fans displayed banners aimed at the Real Madrid star that read "Mbappe SMC is not your toy!".

Although the French team is in poor form, Mbappe, who scored three goals in Real Madrid's 3-1 win over Manchester City in the knockout phase of the Champions League, Thursday, February 20, 2025, early morning WIB, did not give up.

"I think with the quality of the team and the support of the fans, things can change and I hope this is a turning point," he said.

"In football, we have seen that nothing is impossible. There is a lack of confidence, but I think a good set of results can change the team."

"I understand people's frustration, as I have told them personally, because I've never experienced this before."

"It's natural to be angry, but people support it, fill the stadium. Our mission is to give our best," said the attacker.

Caen is at the bottom of Ligue 2 standings, 11 points from the safe zone, ahead of the league match on Saturday, February 22, 2025, against Pau.

The two bottom teams in the division will be relegated automatically, while the team that finishes in 16th will enter the relegation playoffs with a third-placed team in their lower league.