"To be honest, it's not that I didn't like... Mbappe in the centre-forward position... Well, I think it's not his position. He should be more on the left, where Vinicius plays now," Shalimov told Match TV.
The striker had already taken part in the UEFA Super Cup match against Atalanta (2-0) and scored one of the goals.
On June 3, Mbappé officially became a Real Madrid player. His presentation as a player of the "Royal Club" took place on July 16. Previously, the media reported that the French striker's salary would be 30 million euros per year plus bonuses for goals scored. Mbappé's contract also includes a release clause of one billion euros.
Mbappe's move to Real Madrid has been a long-awaited move in the football world. The 24-year-old Frenchman had been linked with a move to the Spanish giants for several years, with his contract at Paris Saint-Germain set to expire in 2022. However, Mbappe has finally decided to extend his stay at PSG in 2021, signing a new three-year deal.
The move came as a surprise to many, as Mbappe was widely tipped to join Real Madrid at the time. The Spanish club had made several attempts to sign the player, but PSG had managed to convince Mbappe to stay in the French capital. This led to a tense situation, with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez publicly expressing his disappointment with Mbappe's decision.
Despite this setback, Real Madrid remained determined to sign Mbappe and continued their efforts. The club's persistence eventually paid off, as Mbappe agreed to join them for free in the summer of 2023. The move was seen as a major coup for Real Madrid, as they managed to secure the services of one of the world's most talented footballers without having to pay a large transfer fee.
Mbappe's arrival at Real Madrid has generated a lot of excitement among the club's fans. The French forward is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, and his addition to the team's already star-studded squad has raised expectations for the upcoming season. Fans are eager to see how Mbappe will adapt to the demands of playing for one of the most successful clubs in the history of the sport.
One of the key questions surrounding Mbappe's move to Real Madrid is how he will fit into the team's tactical setup. The club boasts a wealth of attacking talent, including Karim Benzema, Vinícius Júnior and Eden Hazard, and there is some uncertainty over where Mbappe will fit on the pitch.
As Shalimov's quote suggests, some believe Mbappe could be more effective in a wider attacking role, where he could use his speed and dribbling ability to create chances for himself and his teammates. However, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti could choose to experiment with Mbappe in a more central position, where his goalscoring prowess could be even more valuable.
