Before Kylian Mbappe joined Real Madrid, there was much debate about how the French star would fit in at the Santiago Bernabeu. This was not only a question for fans and the media, but also a matter of discussion within the Bernabeu's leadership.
Mbappe scored on his debut and helped Real Madrid win the European Super Cup. However, it was not until his fourth La Liga match that the 25-year-old opened his account with a double against Real Betis. This shows that, despite being a player at the highest level in the world, Mbappe still needs time to adapt.
“It’s not exactly ideal as expected but it’s not too serious either. It’s a process of adapting to a team that has changed a lot. He’s trying to integrate as quickly as possible. At the moment, Mbappe is gradually stabilizing.
I thought he would have a big ego but in reality that is not the case. Real Madrid once had Cristiano Ronaldo, a player of global star status but Mbappe's personality is completely different from CR7" - a source from Real Madrid's Valdebebas training center shared.
Mbappe was presented in front of 80,000 fans at the Bernabeu, with manager Carlo Ancelotti and his coaching staff watching from Valdebebas, while those in attendance, including legend Raul and former defender Alvaro Arbeloa, were impressed by the atmosphere.
After the presentation, Mbappe met directly with some of his new teammates and coach Ancelotti. According to the coaching staff, the new French player left a good impression with his friendliness. At the first press conference, he impressed with his excellent Spanish speaking ability and confident demeanor.
In addition, Mbappe also showed his friendliness when he proactively visited and talked with young players of Real Madrid's academy. The 25-year-old star even expressed his interest in young center-back Joan Martinez, who suffered a torn knee ligament injury during training. Mbappe sent a message wishing Martinez a speedy recovery and promised that the two would soon play together.
In the dressing room, Mbappe is closest to compatriots Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Ferland Mendy. He has also become friends with Brahim Diaz, and the two have been spotted dining together at a restaurant in Madrid.
However, Mbappe still encountered certain difficulties on the pitch. It took 24 shots in the first 3 matches in La Liga for the French striker to score his first goal. The former PSG striker admitted that the pressure he faced was much greater than that of any other player in the world.
Mbappe has started playing as a centre-forward in Ancelotti's 4-3-3. While there has been some debate about whether he is best suited to that position, the Real Madrid boss has insisted that Mbappe will continue to play as a 'number 9'. The coaching staff are working with him to improve his defensive abilities and use space on the pitch, viewing Mbappe as a player with a unique ability to 'break down defences'.
Despite the challenges, Mbappe has been able to shed some of the psychological burden. During the training session with the French team, the 25-year-old star showed calm and confidence when stating that he felt very happy and everything was going well at Real Madrid.
