At Villarreal, Kylian Mbappé Confirms the Big Problem with Vinicius Junior

The ongoing debate about the compatibility of Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior at Real Madrid has intensified. While initially a matter of speculation, recent matches have exposed a clear issue that Carlo Ancelotti and his coaching staff must urgently address. The game against Villarreal served as the latest evidence of their struggle to coexist effectively on the pitch.

When Mbappé arrived at Real Madrid, the expectation was that he would form an electrifying attacking trio with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes. However, the reality has been different. Instead of complementing each other, their presence on the field often results in one overshadowing the other. This was particularly evident in Madrid’s 28th La Liga fixture against Villarreal, where the imbalance between them was again highlighted.

Mbappé Shines Without Vinicius

The past few games have made it increasingly clear that Mbappé and Vinicius struggle to thrive together. Their lack of chemistry was evident in Madrid’s frustrating loss to Real Betis and the intense Champions League knockout clashes against Atlético Madrid. Former Real Madrid player and coach Jorge Valdano has even raised concerns over their inability to click.

Against Villarreal, Vinicius Junior was absent for much of the match. With Rodrygo operating from the left flank, Mbappé delivered a dazzling performance, scoring twice and dictating the attack with his usual flair. However, when Vinicius entered late in the game, the team’s attacking rhythm faltered once again. The fluidity that had defined Mbappé’s play seemed disrupted, and rather than working in tandem, both players appeared to compete for influence.

Mbappé’s brilliance earned him the Man of the Match award, but his individual success highlighted an uncomfortable truth—he appears more effective when Vinicius is not on the pitch. This isn’t an isolated occurrence; earlier in the season, Mbappé’s most dominant displays coincided with Vinicius serving a suspension, further emphasizing the difficulty in making both stars shine simultaneously.

Numbers Don’t Lie: A Tactical Dilemma

Data from Real France provides compelling evidence of this issue. Out of Mbappé’s 20 La Liga goals this season, 10 have come in matches where Vinicius was either absent or substituted early. This suggests that Real Madrid’s attack functions more efficiently when one of the two superstars is leading the charge rather than both playing together.

January was particularly revealing. During that period, Mbappé and Rodrygo were in top form, whereas Vinicius