I have returned the the Man of the match award to Him, forget the fact that I scored Hattrick but He did dirty games for us last night”, Kylian Mbappe named the ONE Madrid player that truly deserves the Man of match award last night

Kylian Mbappe Praises Antonio Rüdiger: “He Deserved the Man of the Match More Than Me”

In a moment that showcased both humility and leadership, Kylian Mbappe stunned reporters during Real Madrid’s post-match press conference when he revealed he had given his Man of the Match award to teammate Antonio Rüdiger, despite scoring a sensational hat-trick.

The French superstar, who led Real Madrid to a commanding victory last night, took the spotlight not just for his on-field brilliance but for his heartfelt gesture afterward.

“I have returned the Man of the Match award to him,” Mbappe said, pointing towards Rüdiger. “Forget the fact that I scored a hat-trick — he did the dirty work for us last night.”

While Mbappe’s treble stole headlines, the 90 minutes told a deeper story — one of grit, determination, and defensive masterclass, embodied perfectly by Rüdiger. The German defender was a wall at the back, shutting down opposition attacks with precision tackles, key interceptions, and relentless pressing.

“He was a beast out there,” Mbappe continued. “Every time they tried to break us down, Toni was there. These types of performances don’t always get the recognition they deserve because they’re not flashy. But without him, my goals wouldn’t have mattered.”

Rüdiger, known for his no-nonsense defending and passionate style of play, appeared visibly touched by Mbappe’s gesture. “It means a lot, especially coming from Kylian,” Rüdiger said. “I play my game with heart, but when a teammate acknowledges that, especially after a hat-trick performance, it makes it even more special.”

The locker room camaraderie at Real Madrid has been one of the club’s strengths this season, and moments like this highlight why. The balance between attacking flair and defensive solidity has made Los Blancos a formidable force.

Fans on social media quickly praised Mbappe’s sportsmanship, with many calling it “the Madrid spirit” — a perfect blend of star power and unity. Some even joked that “Rüdiger deserves a Ballon d’Or just for making Mbappe give up an award!”

With such chemistry on and off the pitch, Real Madrid looks more dangerous than ever. If Mbappe continues firing in goals and defenders like Rüdiger keep the backline impenetrable, Los Blancos could be on their way to another trophy-laden season.

One thing’s for sure — in this Real Madrid squad, the stars shine together.