Kylian Mbappe has been slowly finding his footing at Real Madrid, scoring five goals in three league appearances last month. Yet beneath those numbers lies a conversation about Mbappe’s best position, thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo‘s outspoken commentary.
Ronaldo, who knows a thing or two about winning at the Bernabeu, offered his critique in an interview with El Chiringuito. He said, “The striker position makes it a bit difficult for Mbappe, because he doesn’t know how to play as a striker in my opinion… not that he doesn’t know, [but] it’s not his position.” Those words stirred debates among supporters and pundits, not least because Mbappe joined Real Madrid with expectations of leading the forward line for years to come.
Ronaldo recalled his own journey. He was not always a classic center forward, having once prowled the wings at Manchester United and in his early days in Madrid. “If I were at Real Madrid, I would teach him to play as a ‘nine,’” he said, hinting at how he once adapted his game to become a forward and one of the most feared goal scorers on the planet. This advice carries significant weight, given the Portuguese icon’s remarkable evolution as a player.
Ronaldo suggests that Mbappe’s true strengths come from his pace and positional sense. There’s also the personal bond that runs between them. Ronaldo explained, “I love him very much, and not only because of the story he had as a young man that he loved Cristiano Ronaldo very much and I was his idol.”
Can Mbappe channel Ronaldo’s transformation?
Mbappe, 24, continues to show glimpses of brilliance. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has experimented with tactical setups, often placing Mbappe in central positions. His challenge is maintaining the free-flowing style that made Mbappe a star while also fulfilling the traditional demands of a ‘nine.’
Ronaldo’s words come as both a warning and encouragement. “But I really see him as a [star] and he is going to give Real Madrid a lot of joy,” he said. Fans in Madrid are hoping that joy translates into silverware. Meanwhile, Mbappe faces the delicate task of balancing the advice of a club legend with the demands of a manager who values positional discipline.
It’s still early days for Mbappe at the Bernabeu. He has the pace, flair, and finishing ability to prove Ronaldo right, or even go beyond. The only question is how quickly he can learn that role, refine his instincts, and embrace the pressure that always surrounds Real Madrid’s number one attacking option.
