Kylian Mbappé arrived at Real Madrid last summer carrying the weight of enormous expectations. His explosive speed and clinical finishing had made him one of Europe’s most talked-about players. Yet the start to his Madrid career was uneasy. He missed two penalties in pivotal games, one against Liverpool in the Champions League and another in La Liga against Athletic Club. In the aftermath, he spoke of “hitting rock bottom,” a moment that forced him to confront the pressures he felt but wasn’t handling.
He now admits that it wasn’t physical fitness holding him back. “It was more of a mental thing,” he said. “I didn’t come to Madrid to play badly.” Those words revealed a star aware of the intensity around him, but also one unafraid of confronting his shortcomings. The open criticism from fans and pundits was fierce. Despite winning two trophies early on, he knew he wasn’t the unstoppable force many had expected.
Mbappe’s shift in mindset
That turning point came when he realized any further dip in form would tarnish his own high standards. “When you see that you haven’t helped the team, it affects you,” he said. His solution was to focus on consistency, trusting that every skill he honed in Paris could flourish in Madrid. In the past few weeks, he’s shown why he’s still regarded as one of the deadliest forwards in the game. He has already scored 18 goals across all competitions, including several in quick succession that silenced doubts about his readiness for La Liga’s most intense moments.
The partnership he’s building with Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo appears stronger with each match. Carlo Ancelotti, who once praised Mbappé as potentially the best center-forward in the world, continues to guide him tactically. The coach’s confidence has helped the French forward embrace a role at the heart of the Madrid attack, where every pass and shot is dissected by fans and the media.
Mbappé openly embraces the pressure. He even hinted at a 40-goal target before season’s end, stating, “I’m a player who always wants to do more.” In his view, meeting challenges is part of wearing a Real Madrid jersey. With that mindset, he looks set to transform his rocky start into a statement season that could define him as more than just a brilliant talent. It could confirm him as a true Real Madrid icon in the making.
