Title: Mbappe Opens Up About Hitting Rock Bottom at Real Madrid, Shares Change in Mentality
At a pre-match press conference ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League clash against RB Salzburg, forward Kylian Mbappe candidly discussed his struggles during his early days at the club.
Hailed as the summer's most high-profile transfer in soccer, Mbappe's switch from Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent wasn't without its challenges. Adjusting to a central number 9 role was tough, leading to a missed penalty against Athletic Club that had manager Carlo Ancelotti labeling him as the "best centre-forward in the world" later.
Reflecting on his struggles, Mbappe acknowledged, "I had a hard time because I'm a player who always wants to give more, contribute more. When you see that you don't, it hurts. In Bilbao, I knew that I couldn't do worse. That it could only get better. That was the thing that helped me change my mentality."
Navigating his new role, Mbappe admitted to introspective deliberation. "I thought a lot, you can see it in the games. I was thinking about how to adapt, move, go into space, if I [should] go to Vini or Rodrygo's area," he shared.
The Frenchman further expressed his love for his national team and his eagerness to return in March for the Nations League Final Four. Regarding criticism, Mbappe maintained his composure, labeling it as 'normal' and vowing to remain 'calm and focused' on his game.
"I knew the situation was going to change," he concluded. Emphasizing his humility, Mbappe said, "If you arrive at Madrid, you have to be humble. With a team that has won the Champions League, I can't come in and say that they must pass me the ball. This happens in football. In time, I will have more importance."
Mbappe's determination to score goals with no limits, "if I can score 40, it's fine, and if it can be more, all the better," underscores his resilience and commitment to his craft.
The enrichment data paints a clearer picture of Mbappe's transition in Madrid. His challenges began with an initial adaptation period before the team's clash against Sevilla. Mbappe scored a crucial goal against Sevilla, acting as a turning point in his performance. Completing his first hat-trick against Real Valladolid further bolstered his confidence and demonstrated his growing influence in the team.
After his move to Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti named Kylian Mbappe as the best center-forward in the world, despite his early struggles. Mbappe's adjustment to his new role at Real Madrid saw him spending time contemplating his position and how to best contribute, often considering passing the ball to Vinicius Jr. or Rodrygo. RB Salzburg would be the next team Mbappe faces in the Champions League with Real Madrid.
