Written by 
Seun LeagueLane – November 20, 2024
For me, the direct answer to this question should be flat out ‘no’, and here’s why.
While Kylian Mbappe’s transfer to Real Madrid was not yet finalized, there were talks on how this player would fit in the club officially. This question was not only discussed by fans and the media, but even in Real Madrid’s board meetings in December and January, where the final push for the French National team captain was solidified.
Mbappe was set to join Real Madrid as a free agent this summer, securing a reported €100 million signing-on fee.
First Impression and Early Achievements
The 25-year-old forward did not take time to prove himself as he helped his side lift a trophy – the UEFA Super Cup – in his Madrid debut in the 2-0 victory over Atalanta in mid-August. Yet it was not until Real Betis in mid-September that he netted his first La Liga goal, which came as two in the second half.
As expected, it takes time to settle when joining a team that has been through so many changes and right now Mbappe is being integrated.
The anticipated transfer that was finally completed on July 16, as it should have for a transfer of such a highly anticipated player. The unveiling was attended by 80,000 spectators, with head coach Carlo Ancelotti and his squad watching from Valdebebas. Ex-players like Raul and Arbeloa who came personally were overwhelmed by the excitement.
Mbappe’s parents, Fayza Lamari and Wilfried, both looked quite emotional. The press conference went smoothly, especially when Mbappe confidently addressed 400 journalists in Spanish without an interpreter, captivating both the physical audience and social media followers.
Kylian also demonstrated his compassionate side by sending an encouraging message to young center-back Joan Martinez, who had recently suffered an ACL injury, expressing hope for future on-field collaboration.
It was his first time on the pitch in the Super Cup match against Atalanta, and he scored a goal at the 68th minute of the game, thus dancing, which was followed by the celebration’s imitations from his teammates Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo.
Mbappé’s La Liga Struggles
The start of a new football season may not have started so well for Mbappe in the La Liga. He struggled in the opening weekend game against Real Mallorca and even in the subsequent 3-0 clobbering of Valladolid. Madrid’s attack was not coordinated at times, both him and Vinicius Jr. ended up on the left side.
The difficult week 3 game against Las Palmas generated negative media attention, particularly due to a scene where Mbappé expressed frustration with some of Vinícius Jr.’s decisions during the match. Adding to this on-field incident, the French star’s social media account was hacked, with the hacker posting numerous derogatory messages.
Mbappe has mainly operated as a central striker relying on the provider King in Ancelotti’s 4-3-3 formation sometimes with Vinicius Jr operating on the left side of the formation. This is an area where there has been much controversy – whether or not he should be played as a center-forward – but on this there no wavering from Ancelotti.
Comparison To Benzema and Tactical Adjustments
The coaching staff compare him to Karim Benzema, with coaches stating that he doesn’t high press when out of possession. His tracking and positioning have been areas of focus by the coaching team as his strengths include moving to blind spots and scoring goals.
Help from Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo is considered crucial; Vinicius has manifested better physical characteristics in the Betis match. As time passes by, Mbappe’s relationship with the players should grow strong so that the team could improve on how to play with him.
Additionally, Carlo Ancelotti should consider playing the French international in his preferred position on the left wing, while pushing Vinícius Jr. forward. Vinícius demonstrated his ability to thrive in that advanced position during Madrid’s recent league match against Real Betis. This tactical adjustment could help the French international perform at his best and boost his confidence.
Conclusion
Adapting to a new league is a daunting task, especially for players who have spent their entire careers in a single league. Kylian Mbappé’s quality and talent are never in doubt, but his ability to quickly adjust to life in Madrid is causing concern among many Madristas.
Football history is filled with examples of players who have gone through similar experiences. His current teammate, Vinícius Jr., took two full seasons to adapt to life in Madrid before becoming a star for the Spanish giants. We should also remember that great Madrid icons like Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, and Luka Modrić also struggled to settle in Madrid initially, but they eventually became iconic figures for the club.
Therefore, Mbappé’s time to shine is imminent, and his quality and talent will propel him to the ranks of the top talents who have represented the 15-time UEFA Champions League winners.