The match against Getafe in round 15 of La Liga brought a little light to Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid. The 25-year-old striker scored a beautiful goal after an assist from Jude Bellingham, sealing a 2-0 victory for the home team. This was the second consecutive match he scored in the domestic league, after a series of 9 matches with only 2 goals.
However, looking back at the 0-2 loss to Liverpool in the Champions League, things were not that simple. In that match, Mbappe failed to show his influence and even missed an important penalty. From this lackluster performance, the wave of criticism for the French star became stronger.
Mbappe, who was a "goal-scoring machine" at Paris Saint-Germain, is showing signs of decline. In the 9 matches before the win over Getafe, he scored only 2 goals. Champions League statistics are even more worrying: Mbappe travels an average of just 8.9 km per game - the lowest in the Real Madrid squad. Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior have reached 10.4 km and 9.6 km respectively.
According to Relevo, Real Madrid have been warned in advance about the decline in Mbappe's fitness index. Since the 2018 World Cup, factors such as travel distance, high-intensity effort, and his sprint speed have declined over time. However, Los Blancos still decided to recruit this star. The reason is not difficult to understand given his huge brand appeal and his ability to transfer freely.
From the first day of its debut, the Mbappe shirt has become the best-selling product in the team's store. However, this raises a big question, are Real Madrid paying the price for focusing too much on commercial value, instead of the ability to integrate into the playing style?
Carlo Ancelotti admitted the problem: "We lack the necessary stability to maintain form. This is not only Mbappe's responsibility but also the responsibility of the whole team, including me."
Mbappe is currently deployed as a centre-forward a role that is not his forte amid the absence of Vinicius Junior due to injury. This has caused the former PSG star to be often isolated and unable to connect well with his teammates. Adjusting tactics to give him space also had a negative impact on other players, especially Jude Bellingham. The Englishman, who scored 23 goals last season, now has just two goals in 15 games this season. Having to drop deeper to support Mbappe has reduced Bellingham's sharpness in an attacking role.
The pressure on Mbappe comes not only from the pitch but also from the huge expectations of fans and the media. His recent lackluster performances have made him compare with Real Madrid legends such as Cristiano Ronaldo, who have set a very high standard in the club's history. On the other hand, there are still people who believe in the player's ability. Gareth Bale, a former superstar of the "White Vultures", commented: "He is the best player in the world. It's just a matter of time before Mbappe proves it.
Returning to the recent match against Getafe, the 2-0 victory not only brought hope to the 25-year-old superstar but also to the whole team. Bellingham continued to prove his worth with a great assist, while Mbappe showed his inherent danger with a spectacular goal from outside the box. Although he has not shown his usual explosiveness, Mbappe has begun to regain his confidence. His performance received huge applause from fans in the Bernabeu stands.
For Mbappe to reach the top at Real Madrid, both the team and the French star need time. For Mbappe, this is not only a challenge in his career but also an opportunity to prove his mettle. Los Blancos need to optimize their tactics to take advantage of their strengths rather than forcing him to adapt to inappropriate playing style. The lesson from Luka Modric - who was once considered a "failed contract" but later became a legend - is proof that patience and belief can bring brilliant glory.
