Madrid starlet Kubo: Isco surprised me; I want to play against Pogba & Mbappe

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Real Madrid summer signing Takefusa Kubo has stated that he joined Los Blancos because they convinced him with their plan to help him reach his potential.

The Japanese forward, who moved to Real Mallorca on a loan towards the end of the transfer window, spent three seasons at Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy before returning to Japan in 2015.

Who is the player that surprised you the most?

I already knew that everyone was good because they are world-class players. Isco joined a little late and I was very surprised by the skills and quality he has.

Speaking of surprise, Real Madrid’s fans were taken aback by the self-confidence you showed in the preseason friendlies, like against Bayern. There was nothing self-conscious about playing surrounded by so many stars.

If you are a Real Madrid footballer and you have the opportunity to play against a team like Bayern, that is one more motivation, and maybe that’s why I played a little better than usual.

Against Tottenham, you played eight minutes and had three shots on target. You can’t stop, can you?

I needed to do something in the short time I played, so I went looking for a goal.

Zidane said of you after that game that “Kubo is a player for the future and is young, like Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Junor. They have to go slowly.” Do you get it?

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Yes. In addition, at a club like Real Madrid, it is not like at another club. All [of those] who are playing are internationals and worldwide famous football players. That a coach like Zidane takes care of me and says my name in an interview is good.

Did Zidane talk to you during the preseason?

Yes, Zidane is a very good coach; he pays attention to each of the players. He’s very good, that’s why he’s back.

Is what you told Eden Hazard true about putting on his videos before games or were you kidding?

Yes, really. For example, before the Copa America matches with Japan, I put on videos of Hazard.

What did you think of Hazard when you trained with him?

I already knew he was very good but seeing it in person moved me a little.

Who would like to meet from the world of football?

I would like to play against [Paul] Pogba and talk to him. I’ve never seen him play live.

And the young player (18-20 years old) that you like most?

Man, [Kylian] Mbappe, by far. He is the best.

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