Max Verstappen is one of the most influential voices in world sport, and when he’s not dominating Formula 1 circuits, his attention naturally turns to football. The Red Bull driver has never hidden his sympathy for Barcelona, but that loyalty hasn’t stopped him from openly admiring the quality and excellence found at Real Madrid. In a recent appearance, the four-time world champion was clear when naming his current favorite player.

“My favorite footballer? Overall, Johan Cruyff. Right now, Kylian Mbappé,” Verstappen said yesterday. The remark neatly links Barcelona’s greatest icon with Real Madrid’s present-day superstar, underlining that, for Verstappen, true talent goes beyond club rivalries.

His praise for Mbappé and Real Madrid is far from a one-off. Just weeks ago, on the Pelas Pistas podcast, Verstappen went into detail about why he believes Real Madrid is the model Formula 1 teams should follow. “I’m a Barcelona fan, but Real Madrid is exceptional,” he admitted, highlighting the club’s long-term sporting vision under Florentino Pérez.

According to Verstappen, Real Madrid’s biggest strength is its ability to renew itself without losing competitiveness, a principle he sees as crucial in motorsport. “Do you know who manages their squad incredibly well? Real Madrid,” he explained, pointing to how experienced players are seamlessly replaced by young talents ready to step up.

The champion even turned this idea into direct advice for F1 teams. In his view, pairing two inexperienced young drivers is a mistake. Instead, teams should follow the “Real Madrid formula”: keep a leader at their peak while grooming a successor who can take over immediately. His words make one thing clear, even if his heart leans toward Barcelona, Verstappen holds deep admiration for the winning structure built at Real Madrid.

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