After the end of round 6 of La Liga, all data points to the fact that Mbappe is no longer an explosive waiting player, he is the one who makes the difference with a steady goalscoring pace and smooth professional aspects according to Xabi Alonso's philosophy.
Last season Mbappe set impressive numbers for Real Madrid when scoring 31 goals in La Liga and more than 40 goals in all competitions, winning the Pichichi title, the European Golden Boot and many personal records. Those statistics show that the French striker has adapted very well since his early days at the Bernabeu.
In the opening period of the 2025-2026 season, Mbappe continued his excellent form. Most recently, he scored a double against Levante, bringing his total goals this season to 9 goals in 7 matches in all competitions. These achievements are not just numbers, it is evidence that Mbappe is turning every opportunity into a goal and contributing greatly to helping Los Blancos have a strong attack.
The biggest difference lies in the way Xabi Alonso put Mbappe in the squad. Unlike some coaches who have tried to use Mbappe as a static star, Alonso allows him more freedom in attacking situations. The 26-year-old star moves wide, sometimes winding inside to receive the ball between lines, then exploding with runs or shots in the penalty area.
At the same time, Alonso arranged the midfield to be able to keep the rhythm and pass with high accuracy like Dani Ceballos or Arda Guler, helping Mbappe receive the ball in positions with higher scoring ability. It is the combination of diverse travel areas and the quality of passes that has increased the frequency of dangerous situations Mbappe has.
Xabi Alonso also emphasized the process of building the team as this is a "development stage" but a development towards stable playing style, which helps Mbappe shine regularly.
In addition, Mbappe also made clear changes in his playing style. First, the accuracy of finishing has increased. Mbappe no longer rely only on strength or speed, he has perfected his ability to choose angles, read goalkeepers and take advantage of space. The most recent example was the Panenka from the 11m mark into the Levante net, showing the 26-year-old striker's psychological and technical sophistication.
Second is the ability to move in many directions when Mbappe proactively does not get too much pressure on the wing or in the middle. He often pulls the opposing defender away and then hits directly into the penalty area, or bounces back to receive the ball to regulate, creating a pull-up effect, helping his teammates have space.
Finally, with his contributions to the team, Mbappe has become more involved in creating and pressing with goals, in line with the Alonso system. For Alonso, attackers not only aim for goals, they also have to activate the attack cycle of the whole team. A specific example is the assist that helped Arda Guler score against Real Sociedad in round 4 when Mbappe dribbled past the defender, clearing the ball for his teammate to finish easily.
The match against Levante was also proof of Kylian Mbappe's impressive form. Mbappe was present at the right moment, successfully taking a Panenka penalty. Just 3 minutes later, he coordinated and finished neatly, ending an impressive performance to help Real Madrid win 4-1.
These moments reflect two aspects: coldness and determination, which are the qualities of a "goal-hunting monster".
Personal performance is just an aspect, long-term stability is another matter. The Real Madrid squad is under pressure from the match schedule, needing to ensure a balanced physical condition for Mbappe and his teammates. Xabi Alonso also had to consider rotating to avoid overloading, and at the same time adjusting tactics when the opponent studied Mbappe's playing style.
In addition, Real Madrid have not met strong opponents since the beginning of the season. With Mbappe's current high form, big opponents in La Liga or Champions League are likely to focus on blocking the French striker as much as possible.
