Mbappé refuses to point fingers after derby loss

No excuses from the Frenchman

Real Madrid went into the Madrid derby needing a response and left with a defeat that stings more than most. Atlético Madrid won 2-1, according to Foot Mercato, and Mbappé was asked afterwards whether the referee had a hand in the result. He refused to blame him, choosing instead to own the loss rather than hand Xabi Alonso's side an excuse.

Real Madrid have won five of their seven league games this season, but two defeats have them fourth in the table, six points off Barcelona at the top. A derby loss to their city rivals, with no complaints attached, isn't the start anyone at the club wanted.

A boot switch mid-derby

While the scoreline dominated the headlines, Foot Mercato also reported that Mbappé wore new boots from On during the derby, having previously covered up the Nike branding on his footwear. The move to On marks a genuine sponsorship shift for one of the sport's most marketable players, and doing it on derby day, in front of a full Bernabéu, guarantees the switch gets noticed.

For a brand like On, better known in running than football, signing Mbappé is a statement in itself. For Mbappé, it's another sign that his commercial profile keeps growing even as Real Madrid search for consistency on the pitch.

Fourth place and six points back

A derby defeat doesn't derail a season on its own. But six points off the top after seven games, with the club's biggest asset declining to blame the officials, shows Real Madrid know exactly how much work is in front of them under Xabi Alonso.