Kylian Mbappe opened up about his initial struggles at Real Madrid and how he overcame them to become a key goal scorer for Carlo Ancelotti’s team this season.
The 26-year-old French forward made a high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain to Madrid last summer, joining a squad filled with talent, including Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo.
However, his early months at the club were challenging, with reports from Spain suggesting that Mbappe faced difficulties connecting with teammates due to inconsistent performances.
In a press conference before Real Madrid’s crucial Champions League match against RB Salzburg, Mbappe shared his thoughts on the tough start. “I’m calm. When you’re a player like me, with what was expected of me, it’s normal for people to talk.
They can talk badly, but for me, it’s not personal. In football, when you play well they speak well, and when you don’t, they speak badly. You have to stay calm and focused on your game and what you can improve on.
I knew I could change the situation and I have. I’m happy to help my team. I’m a player who always wants to do more, looking for the best for me and my team. When you see that it’s not happening, it affects you.
Playing here is a great opportunity, and I knew it could happen, but it has changed my mentality. I could only do better and here I am, proving that I’m a player with great quality and that I can help the team. It’s more mental, telling myself that now I have to do more.”
Mbappe also highlighted the importance of staying mentally strong, saying, “I was fine physically and with the group, but I knew I had to do more. I had to change the situation because I didn’t come here to play badly. Now I have to keep it going because playing well for a month is easy, but at Real Madrid, you always have to play well.”
Mbappe’s early adjustment at Madrid was complicated by the team’s wealth of attacking talent. With the likes of Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, and Bellingham, the front four struggled to find chemistry early in the season.
Bellingham, coming off a standout year with 19 goals, had to adopt a deeper role to create space for the front three. Meanwhile, Mbappe, who had thrived in wide positions at PSG, was asked to play centrally to allow Vinicius Jr. to occupy the left wing.
Despite initial tensions, Marca reported earlier this month that Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. have now reconciled, with both players speaking positively of each other.
In a previous interview, Mbappe expressed his admiration for Vinicius Jr., particularly highlighting his humility. “What do I admire most about Vini? His humility, without a doubt. Everyone knows the player and sees the quality he has every three days. This year, he has won many collective titles and individual awards, but I highlight his humility. He’s always good with the people in the dressing room, and I like that a lot.”
Mbappe also reflected on the support he received from his teammates as he adapted to his new environment. “I had to adapt to a new team and in the dressing room, they have helped me a lot. I thank them all.”