Los Blancos are nowhere near as good with the France captain in their side, and might just be regretting bringing him in from Paris Saint-Germain
The picture is ubiquitous at this point. A young Kylian Mbappe sits on his bed, leaning against a wall, surrounded by pictures of Cristiano Ronaldo. Here's Ronaldo controlling the ball with his chest, there's Ronaldo holding up the Golden Boot. And in all of them – every single one – Ronaldo is clad in Real Madrid white.
It was an innocent snap at the time of a kid who loved football. Since then, though, it has become symbolic of something bigger. Ever since he was a child, Mbappe has wanted to play for Madrid. This picture is perfect evidence that the French forward's summer transfer to the Spanish capital was a divine right – a move that was always going to be made.
But that child's fantasy, now that it has actually come to life, is far from the perfect story. Mbappe was supposed to be the final piece of this Madrid side, the razor edge that could make Europe's most dominant team almost unstoppable. The reality has been quite the opposite.
Madrid are confused, their players no longer quite on the same page. The fluidity is missing, the connectivity gone. Mbappe, Paris Saint-Germain's all-time top goal-scorer and a consensus top-three player in the world, has made this team worse.
Getty ImagesFlirtation
It is worth reflecting on how we got here. Mbappe suggested at least twice that he wanted to play for Carlo Ancelotti's side, and the first flirtation in full came in 2022. Madrid were pretty much convinced that they had secured Mbappe's services on a long-term contract. He was due to be a free agent, and his relationship with PSG had soured. Madrid, it seemed, were a phone call away. Instead, the forward made the surprise decision to re-sign in Paris.
Madrid were furious, and claimed that they would never go in for Mbappe again. The trust was broken… Well, that lasted less than 12 months. In the summer 2023, Mbappe made it clear that he would not sign another deal with PSG, and nor would he even trigger the one-year extension that the French club thought would keep him around past the end of the upcoming season. It was a message of sorts: 'Come and get me, Mr. Perez'.
Madrid didn't bite. PSG accepted a massive offer for Mbappe's services from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, but Mbappe didn't even consider it. Madrid, meanwhile, adapted and revamped. Karim Benzema left and so Ancelotti deployed Jude Bellingham as a false nine. They won both La Liga and the Champions League at a canter.
But by the spring, it was known that Mbappe was going to be a Madrid player. The only question that remained was how much he was willing to give up to PSG in order to make it work for everyone. The terms were never disclosed, but Mbappe spent the final days of his Parisian tenure on the bench, awaiting his move.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportStrong first impression
When it finally happened, the Madrid move came on their terms. Gone was the bumper contract that included unprecedented wages and control of Mbappe's image rights, and he would no longer blow their wage structure to bits. Instead, his pay was in line with that of Bellingham (although a handsome €150 million (£128m/$163m) signing bonus didn't hurt).
His unveiling ceremony, in front of a packed Santiago Bernabeu, felt a lot like that given to Ronaldo 15 years previously. Mbappe said some of the same things, and brought the same cool-guy, look-at-me alpha energy. Mbappe was here, and everyone had to know it.
For Los Blancos, only good things were said. Ancelotti spoke of his excitement, while various players posted on Instagram welcoming him to the side. The vibes seemed good from day one.
Getty ImagesEarly warning signs
Immediately, however, it was clear that things were going to run less smoothly on the pitch. The natural concern was very much apparent; Vinicius Jr and Mbappe play the exact same position. Whether you count Vini as more of a touchline winger than inside forward doesn't really matter; both are supremely talented, attacking players who play off the left and cut inside. Rodrygo, who so willingly sacrificed his own interests by playing on the right last season, also often gravitates there.
Bellingham, too, prefers to occupy the left half-space before darting to the centre. On paper, it looked frighteningly lopsided, and so it proved in the early weeks of the campaign. Mbappe was told that he had to play through the middle, but ended up shifting to his preferred position anyway. At times, he simply got in Vinicius' way. There may have been smiles and laughs on the pitch, but the two collided in Madrid's season-opening 1-1 draw with Mallorca.
But this was all a symptom of growing pains – or so we were told. They would, over time, figure it out.
Getty Images SportLeaving everyone exposed
The attacking woes are perhaps a little overblown, though. Yes, there have been some poor moments. Mbappe was caught offside eight times alone against Barcelona's high line in a 4-0 Clasico drubbing (one would have thought that a player of this calibre would know how to time a run). But zoom out, and the numbers are fine. Mbappe has scored nine goals in 17 while Vinicius is racking up goals and assists. And although Bellingham's scoring production has dropped off, he has adapted into more of a No.8.
But this is not a good Madrid team. Los Blancos have struggled against the best sides and flopped in contests they would usually win. A big part of that is their defensive issues, and that all starts from the front. There are no passengers in modern football, especially against sides with the kind of attacking quality to tear you apart. Excuses are useless; defending with 11 men is mandatory.
Madrid already had some issues in that sense, with Vinicius' work-rate often questionable. Mbappe's, though, has been non-existent.
There are basic rules that aren't being followed here. When Madrid lose the ball, Mbappe neither drops nor presses. Passing lanes are left wide open and opponents are given far too much time on the ball. There is an easy formula to play through Madrid these days: get it to your No.6, and spray passes wide – it's how both Barcelona and AC Milan dismantled them.
As the central striker, it is Mbappe's job to prevent that tiny pass. He doesn't even attempt to do it, and the rest of the team is exposed as a result.
