Kylian Mbappe mental health: Real Madrid boss Ancelotti makes ‘UGLY’ statement

Robin Bairner
Robin Bairner
  • 23 Nov 2024 11:15 CST
  • 3 min read
Kylian Mbappe, France, 2024
© IMAGO

Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe has had his mental health questioned in recent weeks, which is a debate that head coach Carlo Ancelotti has now dismissed as “ugly”.

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Mbappe has been the subject of persistent speculation since moving to Los Blancos as a free agent from PSG in the summer, with his form questioned in Spain. Meanwhile, his commitment to the France national team has been criticised in his homeland after he chose to sit out Nations League matches in October and was then dropped by Didier Deschamps for the most recent fixtures.

It is with this backdrop that there have been reports that Mbappe is unhappy at Real Madrid, while the mental health of the player has been questioned.

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Kylian Mbappé

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Kylian Mbappé
Kylian Mbappé

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Ancelotti was asked about this by the media.

“What a question... I don't have the impression that he has mental health problems,” the Real Madrid boss said. “I see him as happy to be here. If that's the case, he doesn't show it, but I think that speculating on problems of this type is a bit ugly.”

Mbappe slump will end, says Ancelotti

France boss Didier Deschamps had fuelled speculation over the international break by mentioning the “fragile psychological state” of the player.

Given the volume and scale of the problems Mbappe currently faces, it would be understandable if he were to be feeling the strain.

Criticised for his performance at Euro 2024, he is also in dispute with PSG over €55 million of wage and bonus payments, while there is also the speculation of an alleged rape reported by the Swedish media.

Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid
© IMAGO - Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid

Ancelotti says the striker will get over this period.

“There are always bad times, all the great strikers have been there. But he is motivated, happy, that's all I see. This bad time will end, I am convinced that he will have a great match tomorrow and that all this will come to an end. He has extraordinary qualities, it's just a matter of time,” the Italian said.

“Mbappe trained well. He worked with others. But does he really need to work offensively? I don’t think so. I don’t need to explain to him how to attack.”

Despite the criticism that Mbappe has faced, he has still scored eight goals in 16 games for Real Madrid this season and should start Sunday’s LaLiga clash with Leganes.

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