After much anticipation, Kylian Mbappe made his long-awaited move to Real Madrid on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain during the summer. However, the French superstar’s early days in Madrid were far from the dream start fans expected, with underwhelming performances raising doubts about his impact on the team.
Despite scoring a decent number of goals, Mbappe’s form led many to question if his arrival had disrupted Real Madrid’s attacking dynamic. The criticism reached a peak in December when the 26-year-old missed two penalties in the same week, a moment he now describes as “rock bottom.”
Mbappe Reflects on Tough Start and Turning Point
Speaking candidly about his struggles, Mbappe admitted he could never have imagined his early days in Spain would be so challenging.
“A player always wants to do more for themselves and the team,” Mbappe told reporters. “When that doesn’t happen, it’s normal for it to affect you. I knew this could happen, but it still hit hard. It was a moment where I thought, ‘I cannot play any worse. Things can only get better.’ That mindset helped me turn things around.”
The forward acknowledged his struggles were more mental than physical, saying, “I felt fine physically and with the team, but I realized I needed to do more. I reminded myself, ‘You came to Madrid to play at your best, not to underperform.’ It was a moment of reckoning.”
Adapting to Real Madrid’s Star-Studded Attack
Mbappe also highlighted the challenges of adapting to Real Madrid’s forward line, which includes Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, both of whom occupy key attacking spaces.
“I overthought everything,” Mbappe admitted. “In games, I kept analyzing whether to move into space, go left into Vini’s area, or stay closer to Rodrygo’s side. When you think too much, you just don’t play well.”
He also emphasized the importance of respect and humility when joining a team as successful as Real Madrid. “You can’t come here with demands like, ‘Pass me the ball.’ This is Real Madrid, a team that has won everything. You need to show respect and work hard.”
Signs of a Turnaround
After a rough start, Mbappe has begun to find his rhythm, and his performances have shown significant improvement in recent matches. The forward’s honest admission about his struggles and his determination to adapt underscore his commitment to thriving at Real Madrid, a club with unparalleled expectations.
Stay updated on Real Madrid news and exclusive insights into the biggest stars in football by following our sports updates.