After joining Real Madrid this past summer, Kylian Mbappé has yet to live up to expectations, enduring a four-game scoring drought and only netting eight goals in 16 matches across all competitions. According to “AS,” which cites “L’Équipe,” those close to Mbappé have disclosed that the superstar has been facing mental health issues, which have led to a significant drop in form and created a vicious cycle.
Transitioning from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid has required Mbappé to adapt to a different role. At PSG, he held a dominant position within the club, with everyone catering to him. At Real Madrid, however, he isn’t the top star, with Vinícius Jr. firmly holding down the left wing, forcing Mbappé to play in a central position that he reportedly does not favor.
An interview with someone close to Mbappé, conducted by “L’Équipe,” revealed that the player is experiencing psychological issues. Over the past four months, he has struggled to integrate into Real Madrid, finding it far from the dream scenario he had envisioned. Ludovic Batelli, the coach for France’s U19 team, commented, “Mbappé is going through a tough time; he’s being bombarded by problems, and he’s become fragile, sensitive, and downcast. He’s not a robot and needs support. The best therapy for him would be to focus solely on football.”
To cope with his mental struggles, “L’Équipe” reports that Mbappé has been seeking comfort by returning to Paris to spend time with his closest friend Achraf Hakimi. Together, they have been engaging in activities like playing tennis and video games to help lift his spirits. Recently, Mbappé even celebrated Hakimi’s 26th birthday. In contrast, Mbappé has yet to form such close friendships at Real Madrid.
Another contributing factor to Mbappé’s psychological imbalance is the intense media attention he faces. As one of the most closely followed players globally, he constantly has people trying to connect with him, which disrupts his personal life. This incessant media scrutiny and off-field issues have been seen as reasons for his inconsistent performances at Real Madrid.
The solution to all this, however, lies in his performance on the field. If Mbappé can overcome his mental barriers and score more goals for Real Madrid, regaining his form and confidence, he will be able to get back on track. If that happens, a return to the French national team in March would likely follow.
