Why Is Success Eluding a French Superstar During Real Madrid’s 25-26 Season?
For a player of Kylian Mbappé’s caliber, expectations at Real Madrid were always going to be enormous. He arrived as a generational talent expected to define a new era. Instead, the 2025–26 season has raised uncomfortable questions about fit, role, and influence. The most obvious issue has been his struggle to fully adapt to a central role. Mbappé has spent most of his career thriving from the left, where he can isolate defenders, use his pace, and attack space.
During his time at Madrid, however, he has increasingly been asked to operate as a striker, much like Cristiano Ronaldo was asked to change roles. The transition has not been seamless. Too often, he drifts back into his natural position on the left side, which creates a tactical imbalance, especially with Vinícius Júnior already occupying that space. This overlap has disrupted the team’s attacking structure. Instead of stretching defenses across the width of the pitch, Madrid’s attack can become congested on one side. Both players are at their best in similar areas, and without clear positional discipline, their overall effectiveness is reduced. Rather than complementing each other, they occasionally cancel each other out. Another concern has been Mbappé’s defensive contribution, or lack of it. Modern football, especially at the highest level, demands collective effort without the ball. Pressing from the front is often the first line of defense, but Mbappé has been criticized for not consistently tracking back or applying pressure. This places additional strain on the midfield and defense, making the team more vulnerable in transition. Over the course of a season, those small lapses can add up.
Beyond tactics, there have also been whispers about locker room tension. While nothing has been officially confirmed, reports have suggested that Mbappé’s presence has not always been smooth behind the scenes. Managing a dressing room filled with elite players is never simple, and any imbalance in roles, status, or expectations can create friction. What makes these rumors more notable is that they are not entirely new. During his time at Paris Saint-Germain, there were similar suggestions of internal issues, particularly regarding hierarchy and influence within the squad. Whether fair or exaggerated, those narratives have followed him to Madrid, and any sign of inconsistency on the pitch tends to amplify them.
None of this changes the fact that Mbappé remains one of the most talented players in the world. The problem is not ability, but adaptation. Real Madrid requires structure, balance, and collective commitment. Until Mbappé fully embraces the demands of his role, both tactically and defensively, the team may continue to feel slightly out of sync. There is still time to turn things around. Players of his quality often find ways to evolve, especially when the stakes are this high. However, for now, success has not come as easily as expected, and the gap between potential and reality is becoming harder to ignore.
