Is Kylian Mbappé losing his spark at Real Madrid?

What happens when the shine of one of soccer's brightest stars begins to fade? Kylian Mbappé, the forward who was once synonymous with speed, skill, and decisive play, is facing a difficult moment, both at Real Madrid and with the French national team. Recent criticism from Michel Platini, combined with harsh headlines in the Spanish press, underlines a tough period for the player.

Mbappé and the weight of expectations

Kylian Mbappé was never an ordinary player. He was projected since his childhood as the future of world soccer. But with brilliant performances for PSG and the French national team, that narrative only got reiterated. However, at Real Madrid, things seem to have gone downhill. The pressure is immense, and underwhelming performances have minimum tolerance.

The missed penalty against Liverpool in the Champions League was the straw that broke the camel's back. According to the newspaper Marca, this is "one of the worst moments of his career." Meanwhile, As pointed out that even playing in his favorite position, Mbappé delivered very little.

If he was once seen as the natural successor to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, now he faces less flattering comparisons, and that weighs heavily. After all, how can a player with nine goals and two assists in 18 games this season be called a "disappointment"? Context explains it.

Platini’s criticism

The great legend of French soccer, Michel Platini, was even more direct: Mbappé seems lost on the field. For Platini, great champions have to "rise from the ashes repeatedly.

Platini’s comments reflect a bigger concern. Mbappé is not just going through a bad moment on the field; he also seems distant from his usual confidence. This was evident in his absence from the French national team’s November call-ups, something almost unimaginable for a player of his stature.

The pressure of being the protagonist

When he arrived at Real Madrid, Mbappé took the position of the team's biggest signing of the season. He was expected to lead an attack that already included names like Vinícius Junior. But the absence of the Brazilian in some matches made the Frenchman's shortcomings even more apparent. Playing in his preferred position on the left wing, he was expected to shine. Instead, he delivered lackluster performances.

The pressure at a club like Real Madrid is not felt anywhere else in the world. Every touch of the ball is analyzed, every goal missed becomes a headline, and every drop in form an impending crisis. Mbappé is learning this the hard way.