Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé has backed Xavi Simons to impress for Tottenham Hotspur.
On Friday, the Real Madrid forward won Marca’s Golden Boot award. Saturday’s edition of Marca has published an interview with Mbappé, during which they asked him about the Tottenham player.
The 26-year-old France international shared a dressing room with Simons at Paris Saint-Germain. They sold the attacking midfielder to PSV Eindhoven in 2022, and he starred for the Eredivisie side, managing 22 goals and 11 assists.
PSG exercised their buyback clause in 2023 and immediately sent Simons on loan to RB Leipzig. Earlier this year, the Bundesliga club made the Netherlands international stay permanent and sold him to Tottenham for around €65m at the end of August.
Marca asked the World Cup winner about his experience of playing with the Dutchman and whether he would like to face him in the Champions League. When responding to that, the Real Madrid player praised Simons’ decision to join PSV and RB Leipzig.
“Yes, he’s a very talented young player,” he said.
“He made a smart decision going to PSV Eindhoven to get playing time. When you’re young at a big club, it’s not easy because everyone wants to play. Then he went to Leipzig, where he played very well.
“Now he’s at Tottenham, and I hope he continues to develop and achieves everything he wants. I wish him the best of luck.”