Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe Approach Backfires in La Liga and Europe

Kylian Mbappe’s arrival at Real Madrid in 2024 was seen as a game-changing move for Los Blancos. With the French superstar joining on a free transfer, expectations soared that his prolific scoring record would translate immediately into domestic and European glory. In his first 97 appearances, Mbappe has already netted a remarkable 83 goals, including 39 in the current campaign—numbers only bettered by Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane in the top five leagues.

Kylian Mbappe’s Impact at Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe brought his trademark speed, agility, and finishing prowess to Madrid, quickly becoming the focal point of the attack. While his individual brilliance has been undeniable, with records rivaling those from his PSG days, his presence has also shaped the club’s tactical identity—sometimes to its detriment.

Real Madrid have increasingly built their system around servicing Mbappe, which has caused friction within the squad. The 27-year-old’s desire to be the main man saw him demand a starring role ahead of established talents like Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham. This approach mirrors his time at PSG, where a similar focus led to a lack of Champions League success until after his departure.

Team Dynamics and Tactical Issues

The Mbappe-centric strategy has made Real Madrid’s attack more predictable. Opponents who contain Mbappe have found it relatively easy to blunt Real’s threat, especially as the team struggles to adapt when he has an off day. While Mbappe’s opening goal in the October Clasico against Barcelona put Real five points clear after ten games, a worrying trend has emerged. As the season progressed, Mbappe’s output dipped, and so did Real’s form.

Under former coach Xabi Alonso, Real experienced a rough patch, winning only four of their last eight league games and ultimately ceding their lead to Barcelona. Following a Super Cup defeat to Barca, Alonso was replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa. However, Arbeloa’s promotion did little to halt Real Madrid’s slide, as the club now trails Barcelona by nine points in La Liga and faces a Champions League quarter-final deficit to Bayern Munich.

Kylian Mbappe’s Recent Struggles

Mbappe’s form has notably dropped, with just one goal in his last seven outings. His shot conversion rate plummeted from 25% to just 4%, and his influence in matches has waned—evident in his low expected goals on target (xGOT) in the 1-1 draw with Girona. Moreover, he struggled to connect play and was ineffective out of possession, raising questions about his defensive work rate and overall contribution.

Glimpses of a More Balanced Real Madrid

Interestingly, Real Madrid found success during a period when Mbappe was sidelined due to a knee injury. Arbeloa switched to a 4-4-2 formation, deploying Vinicius and Brahim Diaz up front. The team’s attacking width improved, defensive solidity returned, and they secured wins against tough opponents like Benfica, Manchester City, and Atletico Madrid. These performances highlighted the benefits of a more collective approach, contrasting sharply with the team’s dependency on Mbappe.

However, once Mbappe returned, Real reverted to their previous style, focusing play through him, which correlated with poorer results. The lack of a Plan B when Mbappe is neutralized remains a major concern.

Big-Game Failures and Comparison with Cristiano Ronaldo

Comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo were inevitable as Mbappe’s early season blitz drew praise. Yet, while Ronaldo was a relentless team player in crucial moments, Mbappe has struggled to deliver consistently when it matters most. In his debut season, despite scoring 44 goals, Real failed to win a major trophy and faltered in big matches, including a heavy Champions League defeat to Arsenal and multiple Clasico losses to Barcelona.

This trend has continued, with Mbappe’s brilliance shining more in isolated moments rather than across key fixtures. His performance in the recent defeat to Osasuna, where he failed to register a dribble or a defensive action, exemplifies his struggle to influence games beyond scoring.

Attitude and Defensive Work Rate Concerns

Former PSG coach Luis Enrique once admonished Mbappe for not defending enough, comparing the effort required to that of NBA legend Michael Jordan. The critique persists in Madrid, where Mbappe’s own admission on The Bridge podcast that he “defends a little less than others” has raised eyebrows. This attitude impacts the team’s pressing and leaves Real vulnerable in transition, especially compared to competitors like Bayern’s Harry Kane, who combines attacking output with relentless off-the-ball work.

Kylian Mbappe’s Future at Real Madrid

With Real Madrid’s season at a crossroads, pressure is mounting for both Arbeloa and Mbappe. Tactically, there are alternatives available—players like Brahim Diaz or Arda Guler could spearhead the attack in a more balanced system. Some supporters have even begun to express fatigue with the Mbappe experiment, as evidenced by online campaigns counting down his contract.

Mbappe’s world-class talent is uncontested, but unless he evolves his game and works within a more team-oriented framework, he risks becoming a divisive figure rather than the catalyst for a new era of Real Madrid dominance.

Opinion: Time for Real Madrid to Evolve Beyond Mbappe Dependency

Mbappe’s talent is a blessing few clubs can afford, but Real Madrid’s over-reliance on him is proving costly. To reclaim their status in La Liga and the Champions League, Los Blancos must rediscover the collective identity that has defined their greatest triumphs. Integrating Mbappe effectively—rather than building the entire team around him—may be the key to future success. For more news, visit for more news.