Kylian Mbappe believes a recent shift in his mentality has been key to his improved performance at Real Madrid, following a challenging start to his dream move from Paris Saint-Germain, Al Jazeera reports.
The French superstar initially struggled to find consistency in his first few months in the Spanish capital, but has recently rediscovered his devastating peak form.
After missing penalties against Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao towards the end of 2024, a frustrated Mbappe admitted he had “hit the bottom.” The 26-year-old vowed to showcase his personality and overcome his shaky beginning, and he has certainly delivered, scoring an impressive eight goals in his last 10 games across all competitions.
The pressure of his much-anticipated move to Real Madrid initially seemed overwhelming, but Mbappe has emphatically silenced his doubters. Now, he appears comfortable and poised to cause havoc both domestically in LaLiga and on the European stage. During his dip in form, exacerbated by a thigh problem, Mbappe was also noticeably absent from several France squads for Nations League games. However, the striker has expressed his excitement to return to action with his national team.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has been a constant source of support for Mbappe, repeatedly defending the forward and emphasizing that he needed time to adjust to life in Madrid and connect with his new teammates. Ancelotti’s persistence also extended to Mbappe’s positioning, firmly stating that he should play in a central role, allowing Vinicius Junior to operate on his preferred left flank. The two forwards initially struggled to find a rhythm, often occupying the same spaces on the pitch.
However, Ancelotti remained steadfast and, by the end of December, declared that Mbappe had settled in and was ready to perform at his best after recovering from a thigh injury. Mbappe’s skill and speed have made him virtually unstoppable in recent weeks, showcasing increasing confidence with each match. His recent performance, highlighted by a brace against Las Palmas on Sunday, helped propel Real Madrid to the top of LaLiga, perhaps being his finest display in the iconic white shirt.
