Disaster Strikes: What's Wrong with Mbappé?

As the transfer window slammed shut, some players found themselves immediately thrust into the spotlight, with varying degrees of success. Among the underperformers is Kylian Mbappé, who has yet to make a meaningful impact in his first three La Liga appearances for Real Madrid. Despite his €180 million price tag, Mbappé has recorded zero goals, zero assists, and zero chances created—a far cry from the "Galactico" status many had hoped he would immediately embody.

In a match against Las Palmas, Mbappé’s nine shots on goal produced nothing, a stark contrast to the expectations set for him. Even more glaring is the fact that Real Madrid, a team stacked with talent, was held to a draw by a team with far fewer resources. To put it into perspective, the last Real Madrid player to take more shots without scoring in a La Liga match was Cristiano Ronaldo back in 2018. To make matters worse, Mbappé lost possession 12 times during the match, raising concerns about his current form.

While Mbappé’s struggles are a cause for concern, they aren’t entirely unexpected. The transition from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid is significant, and the expectations are immense. At PSG, Mbappé was accustomed to playing a more free-roaming role, using his speed and creativity to exploit defenses. However, under Carlo Ancelotti’s system at Real Madrid, Mbappé has been tasked with playing a more traditional striker role, which seems to be causing some growing pains.

One of the most discussed moments was when Vinícius Júnior, instead of passing to a wide-open Mbappé, opted to take a shot himself, which ended up as a wayward attempt. This incident led to speculation about the chemistry, or lack thereof, between Mbappé and his new teammates.

It’s not all doom and gloom for Mbappé, though. History has shown that even the greatest players can take time to adjust. Teammates like Modrić, Vinícius, and Rodrygo all faced similar scrutiny in their early days at the Bernabéu. Furthermore, Mbappé’s past achievements—such as winning the World Cup at 20 and claiming the World Cup Golden Boot at 24—suggest that he has the talent and mental fortitude to overcome this rough patch.

In reality, Mbappé’s La Liga goal drought could end with just one well-placed shot, and Ancelotti and the Real Madrid squad remain optimistic and patient. However, French media have been less forgiving, often criticizing Mbappé’s limited connection with his teammates. The pressure is undeniable, but it’s worth remembering that Mbappé’s ambition to win the UEFA Champions League—a title that has eluded him—is likely to fuel his determination.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain seems to be thriving without their former star, leading Ligue 1 with 10 goals scored and only one conceded. The likes of Kolo Muani and Gonçalo Ramos have begun to fill the void left by Mbappé, and the team is showing signs of a more collective effort on both ends of the pitch. PSG manager Luis Enrique has emphasized team unity, stating, “This is a perfect example of 16 players working together in both attack and defense.”

As Real Madrid faces early struggles and PSG enjoys a strong start, the contrasting fortunes of Mbappé and his former club are bound to generate discussion. But with the season still in its infancy, there’s ample time for narratives to shift. For Mbappé, his true test will be whether he can integrate into Real Madrid’s system and lead them to the success he’s been chasing—most notably, a Champions League title.