Tchouaméni Named MVP Again But Stays Humble: 'It Was a Good Day for Me'
Aurélien Tchouaméni picked up back-to-back Champions League MVP awards but kept his feet firmly on the ground after Real Madrid's Bernabéu win.
Back-to-back Champions League MVP awards and the Frenchman still won’t take a bow — Aurélien Tchouaméni is doing the business in the biggest games and somehow staying the most grounded bloke in the room.
Two on the spin
Tchouaméni was the standout performer at Da Luz and then backed it up with another commanding display at the Bernabéu, earning the MVP award in consecutive Champions League matches. For a midfielder who spent a fair chunk of last season being questioned, that’s a proper statement of form.
And yet, when asked in the mixed zone whether he felt like the main man — the gaffer, the top dog — in Madrid’s midfield, he wasn’t having any of it. ‘I try, like all the players, to do things well,’ was roughly the gist. No chest-puffing, no Instagram energy. Just a lad getting on with it.
The Lisbon situation
With the round of 16 draw done, Tchouaméni was asked about the preference for opponents. He was pretty straightforward about it:
- Yes, Lisbon is a shorter trip than Manchester — he acknowledged that much with a smile
- But he made clear it doesn’t really matter who they face
- If Real Madrid want to win the Champions League, they’ve got to beat the best anyway, so crack on
That’s the right mentality from someone who’s clearly grown into a leader without needing the title.
Mbappé and Asencio concerns
Two injury worries hung over the evening. On Kylian Mbappé sitting out, Tchouaméni was matter-of-fact — if he’s not playing, he can’t play, simple as. He called him a key player and said the squad are hoping for a quick return. No drama, no fuss.
There was also a scare involving Raúl Asencio during the match, and Tchouaméni was clearly concerned, expressing hope that the young centre-back recovers as quickly as possible.
Consistency — the ongoing challenge
When pushed on Madrid’s overall form and whether they’re hitting the levels expected of them, Tchouaméni was honest:
- He admitted they need more consistency
- But pointed out they’re trying to do things the right way
- And ultimately — they won, and that’s what matters today
It’s a fair enough take. Madrid have been patchy in La Liga this season, but in Europe they keep finding a way. Tchouaméni, quietly and without any fuss, seems to be one of the main reasons why. Don’t expect him to tell you that himself, though.