Micah Richards struggled to contain his excitement and ran out of the CBS Sports studio after being named Kylian Mbappe’s favourite pundit on Tuesday night.
Mbappe joined US network CBS for a post-match interview after scoring in Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League, and Richards was so excited to speak to the striker that he even wrote him a poem.
As host Kate Abdo revealed Mbappe was joining the show for the first time in six years, Richards cheered in excitement and bellowed: ‘Kylian! Finally we meet my friend.’
Overjoyed, the ex-England international danced over to the big screen to give a hug to Mbappe, who laughed and joined him in the bizarre virtual embrace, before returning to his seat to read a short poem to the Frenchman.
‘Speed like lightning, a finish so clean,’ he began. ‘Kylian Mbappe, the football machine.
‘From Paris to Madrid, he’s chasing his dream. A star of the pitch, the king of the scene. My man!’
Micah Richards ran out the CBS studio after Kylian Mbappe called him his favourite pundit
The former Man City defender was overjoyed after Mbappe joined the network for an interview
After buttering up the striker, Richards asked at the end of the interview: ‘Who’s your favourite on the show, baby?’
To the pundit’s delight, Mbappe replied: ‘I would have to say you.’
Richards immediately jumped to his feet in celebration and pulled out Alan Shearer’s iconic celebration, raising his arm aloft as he charged out of the studio saying: ‘See you later, I’m retiring now!’
His reaction has since gone viral, with more than 10,000 fans liking CBS Sports’ clip of the moment after it was posted to social media platform X on Tuesday night.
During the interview, Mbappe spoke highly of his new Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, praising the legendary manager after his side made a positive start in the Champions League.
‘Jose Mourinho makes you feel alive,’ the Ballon d’Or nominee said. ‘He makes you feel special. He is a guy who puts a lot of pressure and high intensity in training.
‘He talks a lot with the players, and we know what he wants from us, what he expects from us.
The France international saw the funny side after Richards wrote him a flattering poem
‘When a coach gives you that confidence and that hunger, you do not want to disappoint him, and you want to give your best.’
After the match, which saw Mbappe and Federico Valverde strike for Los Blancos in the 2-1 win, Mourinho returned the compliment to his superstar forward.
‘I rank him right up there among the players I’ve coached,’ Mourinho admitted.
‘I don’t like comparisons… I’ve had players like Ronaldo Nazario. But Kylian is right up there! Kylian is incredible.’
