Kylian Mbappe Reflects on Rocky Start at Real Madrid

After a much-anticipated move to Real Madrid in the summer on a free transfer from PSG, Kylian Mbappe has admitted that his start in Spain was far from ideal. Despite a decent goal tally, the 26-year-old struggled to meet expectations and faced criticism for his initial performances in a star-studded Real Madrid lineup.

Mbappe Hits “Rock Bottom” in December

The French forward opened up about the challenges he faced early on, particularly in December, when he missed two penalties in a single week. The period marked a low point in his career, prompting Mbappe to reevaluate his approach.
“Things couldn’t have gone worse,” Mbappe admitted. “I realized I wasn’t delivering what was expected of me. That moment forced me to change my mentality and focus. I told myself, ‘You’ve come to Real Madrid to excel, not to disappoint.’”

Humility and Adaptation at Real Madrid

Mbappe highlighted the need for humility when joining a club as decorated as Real Madrid. “This is a team that has won everything. You don’t arrive here making demands. You come with respect and a willingness to work,” he said.
The Frenchman also spoke about adapting to playing alongside Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, two established stars in the forward line. “I found it challenging to find my space on the pitch. I overthought my moves—whether to occupy the left with Vinicius, or move closer to Rodrygo—and that affected my game,” Mbappe explained.

Turning Things Around

Mbappe has since managed to turn things around, showing glimpses of the player who dominated at PSG. His improving form has silenced critics and bolstered Real Madrid’s attacking options.
“Once I stopped overthinking and trusted my instincts, things started to fall into place,” Mbappe concluded.