Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé defended the club’s playing style on Monday. Mbappé downplayed the idea that his work rate, along with teammate, Vinicius Jr. is an issue for the side.

Los Blancos suffered a 1-0 loss against Real Betis on Friday after Mbappé squandered a chance to equalise late for the team, missing a late penalty.

Mbappé has gone two seasons without winning any major trophy with Real Madrid since joining the La Liga giants.

“Just me and Vinicius?” Mbappé replied, in a news conference on Monday, when asked if more defensive effort was required from Madrid’s forwards, compared to PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé and Barcelona’s Raphinha.

“Of course we have to improve, that’s completely natural. But I could play the fool and say that I score more goals than the two players you mention, and that they should score more, to be like me.

“But I want to be smart and say that of course I need to improve, even though I do things that the others [Dembélé and Raphinha] don’t … but I don’t like to make comparisons. It’s a never-ending debate. Everyone at Real Madrid has to improve in this area, to concede fewer chances.”

Mbappe scored 10 goals for France in the FIFA World Cup, taking his tournament’s tally to 22 goals, which is the highest by any player in the competition’s history. The Frenchman is one of the favorites for the Ballon d’Or.

“When you play for Real Madrid, the best club in the world, you’re associated with these awards,” he said on Monday. “When people see me in the street, a lot of them talk to me about it … I made a lot of history this summer, in the most important competition. But there’s still a long way to go.”

“Everyone has their own opinion. Some people here will think so, and others won’t. Not everyone has to think like me. This year might be a good one to win the Ballon d’Or, but it’s voted on by journalists, and they’ll choose.”

Real Madrid will host Inter Milan in the Champions League in their opening game of the league phase on Tuesday.