Mbappe’s found out what it’s REALLY like to play for Real Madrid – can he cut it?

19 Oct 2024 11:10 BST
5 min read

Kylian Mbappe, Stockholm, nightclub — © IMAGO

Kylian Mbappe might have been a Real Madrid player for over two months, but in the last week, the France star has truly learned what it’s like to be a big name at the Bernabeu.

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First came his trip to Stockholm, where he visited a nightclub with former PSG teammate Nordi Mukiele.

This came days after the Spanish press had joyfully proclaimed that Mbappe had snubbed international duty with France to have a ‘mini pre-season’ due to his unhappiness with his form at Real Madrid. It later transpired this was more of a break: Mbappe did not train for the first week of the international period.

All good, at least in Spain and at least for a few days. He had barely time to breathe between the end of Euro 2024 and hooking up with his new club. This was seen as a sign of his commitment to Real Madrid, so taking a week off when the majority of players were away should have been no big deal.

Subsequent claims of “rape” and “sexual harassment” emerged in the Swedish press days afterwards, although those close to Mbappe have strongly denied these allegations, branding them a “slanderous rumour”.

Le Parisien reports that messages sent to the woman after the incident “tell the story of a happy meeting and a consensual relationship”.

© IMAGO - Kylian Mbappe's reputation in France has been battered

While this legal storm raged in Sweden, a PR issue was already being battled in France.

Mbappe’s trip to Stockholm had exploded over the media like a bomb. He was meant to be working to get back to full fitness at Real Madrid, yet here he was spotted parting 1000s of miles away on the evening Les Bleus, the team he is the captain of, were playing Israel. L'Equipe reported that he has put winning the Ballon d'Or above playing for his country.

The optics were terrible, leading to claims he isn't loved and faces losing sponsors, and even before the criminal accusations were made public had further turned opinion against the 25-year-old, who has burned through much goodwill in his homeland over the course of the last 18 months.

Trouble in Madrid

Respected journalist Romain Molina now claims that Mbappe’s issues extend to Real Madrid.

“It hasn’t been at all what they were expecting. It was a whim of president Florentino Perez. It was only Perez that wanted him,” he said.

The physical drop-off that he has had at 25, I have never seen that.

- Romain Molina on Mbappe

“The club are gutted, firstly with his form, which is not at all at the expected levels. In the dressing room it isn’t great, that isn’t necessarily Mbappe’s fault though.

“When you see how [Mbappé] is physically at 25, you can’t explain it to me. The physical drop-off that he has had at 25, I have never seen that.”

It was left to Real Madrid head coach Ancelotti to defend his player in front of the media on Friday.

“I do not pay attention to speculations that come from outside the team. The player is not affected in the least,” the Italian said.

“Mbappe has made the most of this break to improve his condition. It has improved a lot... He's a different player to the one he was before the break.”

STATS

11

Games
7

Goals
1

Assists

Mbappe to come out stronger?

What should have been two quiet weeks for Mbappe have turned into constant firefighting for his reputation, both on and off the field. It has been nothing short of a disaster, the most complicated period of a career played out in the media glare.

That it has come shortly after arriving at Real Madrid is no surprise.

Yes, there was a great deal of focus on him at PSG, but in Spain the ballgame is totally different.

© IMAGO - Mbappe is under fire in Spain and has to respond

There are multiple sports papers eager for stories and gossip, some seeking to build Mbappe up, others looking to knock him down. The culture is one entirely different to France, and so too is the intensity of interest in the player, both for good and bad.

Mbappe’s performances on the field may not have been spectacular, but seven goals in 11 appearances have warded off significant criticism before now. It is a fine return.

What little honeymoon there was is truly over. It’s time to find out whether Mbappe really will cut it as a Real Madrid star.

Read more about: La Liga, Ligue 1, PSG, Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé