Getting an inside look at how teams prepare for big games, and how coaches inspire their players, is always a rare and coveted experience.
Lucky for us, we have the chance to go inside the dressing room as Spanish streaming service Movistar+ has an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at PSG head coach Luis Enrique on its new docuseries "You have no f***ing idea" which follows the Spanish manager as he leads one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Movistar teased the next episode of the show with a fascinating clip from last season as the PSG boss speaks directly to Ballon d'Or candidate Kylian Mbappe, who was still with the Parisian club at the time.
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Luis Enrique is fired up speaking to Mbappe, the club's last remaining superstar from the three-headed attacking monster of Mbappe, Neymar, and Lionel Messi which helmed the front line for a few glamorous seasons. In the clip, he looks to inspire Mbappe by playing to his love of basketball, and specifically Chicago Bulls great Michael Jordan.
The manager does all the talking as Mbappe sits listening and absorbing the speech, while game film of a Champions League match against Barcelona is paused in the background. Interestingly, the manager is not looking to inspire his superstar forward about any attacking situation — instead, he is trying to inspire Mbappe to defend.
"You said you liked Michael Jordan?" Luis Enrique exclaims emphatically, gesturing strongly with his hands. "He grabbed his teammates by their nuts and started defending like a motherf***er. You have to set that example as a player and as a person."
In the clip behind, you can see Barcelona with possession of the ball on what appears to be a corner situation, suggesting that the coach saw Mbappe slacking in defense and was frustrated enough to make a point of the importance that Mbappe press with enthusiasm.
"You will be the one following [Barcelona defender Pau] Cubarsi," Luis Enrique continues vociferously. "You will pressure Cubarsi and [goalkeeper Marc-Andre] Ter Stegen. What for? To be a leader. Because you are a phenomenon, a worldwide top class, whatever you say. A leader is someone that when cannot help us with goals, helps with everything in defense. [You say] 'Guys, stay there that I'm gonna help these 2 guys'. If you do that, you know what we have? A f****ing machine. That's what I want you to do as a leader here."
"He leído que te gustaba Michael Jordan".
— Fútbol en Movistar Plus+ (@MovistarFutbol) October 3, 2024
"Michael Jordan se ponía a defender como un hijo de p***".#LuisEnrique 🗣️ Mbappé
📼 Lunes 7, '𝑵𝒐 𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒆́𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒊 **** 𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒂' Capítulo 2. pic.twitter.com/VSYqtTAIsl
Luis Enrique's point about Mbappe's goal scoring form is important to note. At the time of the match in mid-April, the French forward was in poor attacking form and was seemingly on his way to Real Madrid in the summer, leading to the general sentiment that he had checked out of PSG's remaining schedule.
In the very next fixture, the second leg of their quarterfinal matchup with Barcelona, Mbappe scored two goals in a 4-1 win, turning around the 3-2 first leg defeat and seeing PSG in to the semifinals.
Coaches love to drive home the point that all players need to defend, even those whose responsibilities lie largely in the opposite end of the pitch. Just days ago in early October, new USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino hammered home the notion that his U.S. squad should "not only play beautiful football" but needs to "enjoy playing without the ball" as well.
Mbappe's love for basketball has been well documented. He was spotted at an NBA game in Brooklyn, New York in the aftermath of the 2022 World Cup, making use of his time off before returning to PSG. Then, next summer, he played a pickup basketball game alongside former NBA champion Joakim Noah in Cameroon while visiting his father's hometown for an ultimately cancelled charity match.
