Kylian Mbappe’s LaLiga debut: Key stats and reaction as Rodrygo outshines Real Madrid star

Robin Bairner

• 19 Aug 2024 01:39 CDT
• 2 min read

Kylian Mbappe made his first Real Madrid appearance in LaLiga on Sunday, but the match ultimately ended in disappointment for the France superstar as Los Blancos were held to a 1-1 draw against Mallorca away from home.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side took the lead from Rodrygo after 13 minutes but failed to shake off their opponents, who hit back in the second half through Vedat Muriqi.

READ MORE: Latest Kylian Mbappe transfer news

Mbappe’s LaLiga bow in numbers

For his part, Mbappe was relatively muted, earning a FootballCritic rating on 6.8. This was an average score among his Real Madrid teammates and was better than the 6.5 that Vinicius Junior earned, despite the Brazilian generating an assist.

Mbappe at least looked to make things happen from his role as centre-forward – a role that he has made clear in the past is very much his second favourite behind playing from the wing.

He posted an incredible 13 touches in the box and registered four shots, two of which hit the target. Furthermore, he completed three dribbles and made 81% of his 31 passes.

His total of 44 touches was the lowest among Real Madrid’s outfield players, yet this would be expected in the position he was playing. Indeed, this is a sizeable total for a centre-forward, showing that he is getting regularly involved. Meanwhile, he lost possession 11 times, with Vini Junior giving it up on 24 occasions.

Current ETV

Kylian Mbappé

F (CL)

Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappé

F (CL)

Real Madrid

€153.7M

ETV Range

€115.3M - €192.1M

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What was said?

Carlo Ancelotti criticised Real Madrid’s collective defending: “You can think that it is the forwards' fault, but it could also be the defence's fault, the midfielders' fault, who do not help with the pressure that the forwards make… It is not a problem of one, two or three. It is a team problem.

“In this match we did not understand that it was an important aspect of the game and Mallorca did, better than us, they played a very good defensive game. The draw is correct.”

Pundit Sergio Sauca (Tablero Deportivo): “Mbappe was the most dangerous player in the match. Bellingham disappeared. And Carlo Ancelotti had time to make changes earlier.”