Kylian Mbappe’s time at Real Madrid has been far from the smooth ride many expected. The French star, who joined the club last summer as the final piece of a title-winning squad, is now facing increasing criticism for his performances.
His recent struggles have raised doubts, especially after he missed two crucial penalties in consecutive games, which played a significant role in Real Madrid’s recent defeats.
There’s growing speculation that Mbappe might be struggling to handle the pressure that comes with playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Cristiano Ronaldo anticipated this
Interestingly, this is not a new concern, as back in September, a well-known figure had already warned that such challenges could arise. That figure was none other than Cristiano Ronaldo.
During an interview with Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo expressed doubts about how Mbappe would adapt to the pressure of playing for Real Madrid.
He mentioned that Real Madrid is a different level compared to PSG, and he wasn’t sure how Mbappe would handle the mental demands of playing at the Santiago Bernabeu.
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“We’ll see if his head is clear and fine and if he can deal well with the pressure, because Real Madrid is not PSG,” he began saying.
Cristiano remarked that while Mbappe is undoubtedly a great player, it was uncertain whether he would improve the team or fit into the club’s culture.
“Mbappe goes there now (to Real Madrid) and you’ll say, will Real Madrid be better with him? We don’t know, we have to see,”
He noted that only time would reveal if Real Madrid would be stronger with him on the team, and suggested that while the club had many great players, it was impossible to predict how things would turn out.
“I think Real Madrid will remain strong but I don’t know if they will be better than last year. Let’s see. Only God knows. But they have a great team, great players,” he added.
Now, as Mbappe’s struggles unfold, Cristiano’s comments seem to be coming true. The pressure of playing for a club like Real Madrid, with its rich history and high expectations, appears to be affecting Mbappe’s performance.