Kylian Mbappé Seriously in Shape After Atletico: “He Will Never Be Like…”

Real Madrid’s progression to the Champions League quarter-finals was overshadowed by the underwhelming performances of key players, particularly Kylian Mbappé. The French superstar, who was expected to lead the attack, failed to leave his mark over both legs against Atlético Madrid, drawing sharp criticism from the Spanish media. Despite the team advancing on penalties, Mbappé’s subdued display raised serious concerns about his adaptation and impact at Real Madrid.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men had entered the return leg at the Civitas Metropolitano with a slender 2-1 advantage from the first leg. However, a nightmare start saw them concede within 27 seconds, courtesy of Conor Gallagher’s strike. From that moment, Los Blancos struggled to assert themselves, with their usually dynamic attack looking out of sync. Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham, who have often been Madrid’s saviors, were all kept in check, leading to a frustrating evening for the visitors.

The expectation was that Mbappé, now the undisputed focal point of Madrid’s attack, would step up in big moments—just as Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo had done in the past. Yet, instead of delivering a talismanic performance, the French forward looked disengaged. His decision-making was erratic, his dribbles ineffective, and his finishing nowhere near the standard Madridistas have come to expect.

While Rodrygo Goes put in a shift defensively and tried to influence the game, Mbappé’s reluctance to track back and his insistence on taking on defenders alone made him a liability. Even Vinícius, often criticized for moments of selfishness, seemed more involved in Madrid’s collective effort than the former Paris Saint-Germain star.

The Spanish press, never one to hold back, was ruthless in its post-match assessments. Former Real Madrid player and manager Predrag Mijatović voiced his concerns on SER, stating, “We can’t always play hoping for luck. Today, in addition to having an excellent goalkeeper, we had more than just luck. The qualifying round is over, but we still have a lot of progress to make.”

The criticism didn’t stop there. Tomás Roncero, a vocal Madridista journalist from El Chiringuito TV, was particularly scathing in his assessment of Mbappé. Unlike his usual admiration for the forward, Roncero did not hesitate to express his disappointment. “He will never be Cristiano. He’s not angry or rebellious,” he remarked, implying that Mbappé lacks the mentality and killer instinct of the legendary Portuguese forward.

Roncero’s comments have fueled the ongoing debate about Mbappé’s role at Real Madrid. Is he truly the leader this team needs? Or is he simply a luxury player who thrives in an environment built around him, rather than adapting to a structured system like Madrid’s? His performances against Betis and Atlético suggest the latter, raising doubts about whether he was the right signing for Los Blancos.

Beyond individual criticisms, there’s a broader concern surrounding Real Madrid’s style of play. The victory over Atlético was hardly convincing, and the reliance on moments of luck—such as Julián Álvarez’s penalty—won’t always save them. Against a well-organized side like Arsenal in the next round, Madrid’s current approach could lead to disaster.

The lack of cohesion in attack is particularly alarming. While there have been glimpses of brilliance, particularly in matches against Manchester City, Madrid’s strategy often appears too dependent on individual moments rather than structured team play. This unpredictability has worked in their favor at times, but against top-level opposition, it could be their downfall.

Jorge Valdano, a former player, coach, and sporting director of Real Madrid, has already sounded the alarm. He believes that if Ancelotti doesn’t find a way to get the best out of Mbappé within the system, Madrid could suffer in the latter stages of the competition. “A team that doesn’t move together, doesn’t defend together, and doesn’t attack together will struggle,” he warned.

One key issue is Mbappé’s positioning. Unlike Benzema, who was comfortable dropping deep and linking up play, Mbappé prefers running into space. However, against well-drilled defensive units like Atlético’s, those spaces simply don’t exist. This has led to long periods of invisibility for the Frenchman in crucial games.

Moreover, his chemistry with Vinícius remains a work in progress. While the two are world-class talents, their styles often clash. Vinícius thrives in one-on-one situations and prefers carrying the ball at speed, while Mbappé’s strength lies in quick off-the-ball movements. Without a natural playmaker to connect them, they often find themselves occupying similar spaces, leading to frustrating sequences of play.

Real Madrid fans are known for their high expectations, and patience is rarely a virtue at the Santiago Bernabéu. If Mbappé’s struggles continue, murmurs of discontent could grow louder. He was brought in to be the next face of the club, but with performances like the one against Atlético, some are already questioning whether he has the mentality for that responsibility.

Ancelotti, for his part, has defended his star forward. In his post-match press conference, he acknowledged that the team wasn’t at its best but dismissed concerns over Mbappé’s form. “We know what Kylian brings to this team. He will be decisive for us,” the Italian coach reassured. However, words will do little to quiet the critics if the performances don’t improve.

With Arsenal looming in the quarter-finals, Real Madrid cannot afford another sluggish attacking display. The Gunners have the energy, organization, and tactical discipline to expose Madrid’s weaknesses. If Ancelotti doesn’t address these issues—both tactically and in terms of player motivation—the dream of another Champions League title could slip away.

For Kylian Mbappé, the challenge is clear: he must prove that he can be the leader Madrid expects him to be. The comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo may be unfair, but they are inevitable. And unless he starts delivering in the biggest moments, the Madrid faithful will not hesitate to turn their backs on him.