November 27, 2024. After a difficult start to the season, Real Madrid suffered another Champions League defeat, this time at Liverpool. Kylian Mbappé was completely ineffective in this match. Following a shaky start at his dream club, the former PSG player had a disastrous evening at Anfield. He missed a penalty completely and, after a fall that would become synonymous with the 2018 World Cup winner's disappointing start with Real Madrid, Mbappé achieved nothing. This November evening in 2024 also marked the culmination of the Mbappé melodrama. After a disappointing final season with PSG, the Bondy native was embroiled in controversy following his vacation in Sweden, which resulted in an accusation of rape. Meanwhile, as captain of the French national team , Mbappé had snubbed the October international break before being left out of the squad in November by Didier Deschamps. One year later, everything had changed.
Kylian Mbappé is no longer embroiled in controversy.
Indeed, Kylian Mbappé has rediscovered the exhilarating form he displayed on numerous occasions throughout his career. Last season's Pichichi Trophy winner and European Golden Shoe recipient, the 26-year-old striker failed to secure any major titles with Real Madrid in his first season. Seeking redemption, the AS Monaco academy graduate has kept a low profile since the tumultuous end of 2024. Focused on his game, the former INF Clairefontaine player is no longer involved in ego clashes at club level, and his communication has returned to its former glory. Discreet on social media, he has avoided the fiery outbursts in press conferences and the clumsy remarks that have backfired on him in the past.
He had nothing to do with the last Clasico. Usually scrutinized for his performances in big matches, Kylian Mbappé remained silent before the game. On the pitch, the Real Madrid number 10 was decisive, scoring one goal, having another disallowed for offside, and missing a penalty. After the match, Mbappé also remained silent, indulging only in a bit of musical banter with Lamine Yamal, who, in contrast, took the opposite approach, making many harsh comments before the match before completely underperforming on the field. This is a sign that Kylian Mbappé is no longer interested in controversy: he now lets his performances on the pitch speak for themselves.
A successful acclimatization, a connection with Xabi Alonso, and a beneficial bout of gastroenteritis
But to deliver on the pitch, other ingredients are also needed. Even though he consistently racked up goals during his first season in Madrid, Mbappé also needed to have a real impact on the game. Under Xabi Alonso, Kylian Mbappé has taken his game to another level. While Carlo Ancelotti had placed great importance on PSG's all-time leading scorer without managing to resolve the issue of his integration with his teammates, the Spanish manager has found the right formula. By pairing him with players who frequently look for him, like Arda Güler, Alonso gives last season's Pichichi winner a great deal of freedom of movement. Capable of drifting to the left and making even more frequent runs in behind while always looking to get involved in the play, Mbappé is central to Alonso's system. In a press conference, the 43-year-old coach heaped praise on his player, stating that he was exceptional in his current role at Real Madrid.
“ I think the positive influence he has on the team is almost as important as his goals. The fact that his teammates follow him both when he has the ball and when he doesn't, I think that helps us control matches better. Kylian will always score goals. He's done it everywhere he's been, at Monaco, at Paris, here, and with the national team as well. But beyond that, his influence is even greater. I think it's fundamental. It's what the team needs, and Kylian is progressing a lot in that area, which makes me very happy. He's going through a very good period personally because, after adapting last year, he's now found his place. He's very analytical, very intelligent; he does things for specific reasons. And he has to understand them well. And now, everything fits together in his head, which is why he's performing so well. ”
Mi primer Bota de Oro.
— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) October 31, 2025
Un honor de ganar este primer y ser reconocido como máximo goleador en Europa.
Muchas gracias a todo mis compañeros y todo la gente del @realmadrid para ayudarme cada día para tener mi mejor versión. Nada seria posible sin vosotros a mi lado.
Y por fin… pic.twitter.com/6hnwZuSr3P
Beyond his understanding with Alonso's system and his close relationship with Arda Güler and Franco Mastantuono, Mbappé also gets along well with Real Madrid's two other stars: Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior. This has proven to be a successful compromise for Real Madrid, who are enjoying an exceptional start to the season. With 16 goals in 13 matches for Los Blancos, Mbappé is well on his way to a historic season, just a stone's throw from a third World Cup appearance with France. This should motivate the Frenchman to give even more on the pitch and confirm that he has rediscovered the form he showed during his glory days with Paris Saint-Germain. Sharper after contracting gastroenteritis this summer, which caused him to lose around four kilos, Mbappé seems much more explosive and unpredictable this season. This should allow him to silence his critics and finally become, at almost 27 years old, the best player in the world.
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