Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe stand in our way of historic fairy tale season – we can inflict more pain on Real Madrid ...Middle East

From battling relegation last season to challenging for Europe – Mallorca are enjoying a fairy tale campaign.

The Pirates finished in 15th spot in LaLiga last year – seven points above the bottom three – but have been a team transformed this term.

Mallorca currently sit in ninth place, behind Rayo Vallecano only on goal difference as the race for Europe heats up with three matches to play.

Securing an eighth-placed finish would seal Mallorca’s passage into the UEFA Conference League.

But they also have a Europa League spot in their sights, as they sit just two points behind Celta Vigo in seventh.

It was only in the 2017/18 season where Mallorca, who lost on penalties to Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final last year, were competing in the third-tier of Spanish football.

And now they are on the cusp of plying their trade across the continent for the first time since being knocked out by Newcastle in the fourth round of the UEFA Cup in 2004.

Star forward Cyle Larin has been influential in Mallorca’s rise up the table – chipping in with six goals and two assists from 29 league outings.

And the Canada international, who boasts 30 goals from 80 international caps, knows it doesn’t come any tougher than their next opponents.

A clash away at Real Madrid is next up for Mallorca on Wednesday night, with Jagoba Arrasate’s men knowing defeat could see them be leapfrogged by Valencia and Osasuna if the two clubs beat Alaves and Atletico Madrid respectively.

But Larin is confident he and his teammates can continue their amazing story against a Real side who seem set to miss out on the LaLiga title following their 4-3 defeat to rivals Barcelona.

Speaking to talkSPORT.com about whether this is the perfect time to play Los Blancos, the 30-year-old said: “I don’t think there’s any good time to play them.

“They have a lot of talent, a lot of great players, some of the best players in the world.

“For me, to play them is always great because you’re putting yourself against the best.

“They have the mentality of always winning and I think we will go there and try our best to get points.”

Larin knows all too well about the iconic Bernabeu atmosphere having featured in Mallorca’s 1-0 defeat in the Spanish capital last season.

Insisting he and his teammates have what it takes to get a result, he remarked: “It was amazing to play there. It’s difficult to play there.

“They are pretty good players and they keep coming and coming and they don’t stop. It’s good.

“I think we have experienced guys here to be able to go there and get a result.”

And the ex-Besiktas star has stressed there are no nerves within the Mallorca squad as they look seal their place in club folklore with Europe in touching distance.

He said: “I think you obviously think about it – to play in Europe – and you know what’s on the line.

“You go into the game, you work hard during the week to go into these games knowing what’s on the line.

“I think the players are ready to perform in these last games.”

Pressed on what the secret to Mallorca’s season is down to, Larin stated: “I think the group is very good when we’re very tight on the pitch and we fight a lot in the game.

“We got good results in the first half [five wins in opening ten games] and that was important to the second part of the season.

“When we need results, we get results.”

And Larin believes that the sky is the limit as to how far Mallorca can go, as he said: “I think you’ve seen progress each year since I’ve come [from Real Valladolid in 2023].

“They’ve built the stadium and they’re bringing more players, bringing more talented, more experienced players, I think that’s helped.

“Last year we made it to the Copa del Rey final, which was very nice. This year we’re fighting to be in Europe.

“It’s the goal personally for me to always fight and play in the best competitions.

“Europe for me is always [the aim], I want to play in it and I’ve done it before.

“It’s the top level you can play in football, besides the World Cup.

“But I think once we saw we were up there, it can be a goal and it should be a goal to keep fighting for that position.”

You have been warned, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe.

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