Real Madrid began their 2024-25 campaign in the best manner possible last night, putting two goals past Atalanta and taking home the UEFA Super Cup.
After a goalless first half, Federico Valverde opened the scoring for the men in white before the French phenom Kylian Mbappe netted his first goal for the club to put the result beyond doubt.
Addressing the media after Real Madrid’s victory in Warsaw, club president Florentino Perez spoke on topics ranging from the debutant to the importance of the result.
Perez began by revealing his joy over the positive start to the new season and how important it was for the dressing room.
“I am very happy. We are starting the season, it is the first title we have won and this will encourage us to do our best,” he said.
“It will give us energy for a season that, as we all know, is going to be very difficult,” he added.
Speaking on the debutant on the night, Kylian Mbappe, who even found the back of the net, the club president said,
“The fact that Mbappe has debuted with the Real Madrid shirt scoring will give him a lot of encouragement to have a good season. He is very happy.”
“When he picked up his medal, he was happy. It is not easy to debut at Real Madrid with a goal and he has entered on a very good foot,” he continued.
Off the mark on his debut. (Photo by Adam Nurkiewicz/Getty Images)
Real Madrid were matched evenly in the opening period with Atalanta even creating some solid opening for themselves. What separated the two teams, however, was the quality and intent in the second half.
“In the second half, we came out to win. We scored two goals and could have scored a few more. When you go out to win with that impetus and that force, it’s normal for us to win.”
Speaking on his thoughts ahead of the new season and ambitions for his men, Perez said,
“I’m excited as much as possible. We have to keep working hard like we did last year and we will reap the fruits. We have a great team and no one doubts that.”
Finally, the club president commented on the overwhelming support Los Blancos received in the recently concluded USA tour and what it meant for the club’s popularity.
“I come from the United States, where they have turned, and here too. Real Madrid is universal. Fans around the world have the club in their hearts and we can check it every time we leave Spain.”