The match against Getafe in round 15 of La Liga brought a little light for 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 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League, things were not so simple. In that match, Mbappe failed to show his influence and even missed an important penalty. This lackluster performance has led to a wave of criticism against the French star.
Mbappe, who was once a goal machine at Paris Saint-Germain, has shown signs of decline. In the nine games before the win over Getafe, he scored just two goals. The Champions League statistics are even more worrying: Mbappe averaged just 8.9 km per game – the lowest in the Real Madrid squad. Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior covered 10.4 km and 9.6 km respectively.
According to Relevo, Real Madrid were warned about Mbappe's declining fitness. Since the 2018 World Cup, factors such as distance covered, high-intensity effort, and his sprint speed have been decreasing year by year. 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.
Since its launch, the Mbappe jersey has been a bestseller in the club’s store. However, this raises a big question: are Real Madrid paying the price for focusing too much on commercial value, rather than the ability to integrate into the playing style?
Carlo Ancelotti admitted the problem: “We lacked the stability needed to maintain our form. This is not only Mbappe's responsibility but the responsibility of the whole team, including me.”
Mbappe is currently deployed as a centre-forward – a role that is not his forte – in the absence of Vinicius Junior through injury. This has left the former PSG man often isolated and unable to link up well with his teammates. The tactical adjustment to give him space has also had a negative impact on other players, especially Jude Bellingham. The Englishman, who scored 23 goals last season, has only scored two goals in 15 games this season. Having to drop deeper to support Mbappe has reduced Bellingham’s sharpness in the attacking role.
The pressure on Mbappe comes not only from the pitch but also from the huge expectations of fans and the media. Recent lackluster performances have led to comparisons with Real Madrid legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, who have set very high standards in the club's history. On the other hand, there are still those who believe in the player's ability. Gareth Bale, the former superstar of the "White Vultures", commented: "He is the best player in the world. It is only a matter of time before Mbappe proves it."
Back in 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 did not show his usual explosiveness, Mbappe began to regain his confidence. His performance received huge applause from the 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 tactics to take advantage of his strengths instead of forcing him to adapt to an unsuitable 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.
