Kylian Mbappe is in red-hot form for Real Madrid and only a refereeing scandal saw him record a goalless night against Mallorca in the team’s last outing.
As last season’s Pichichi winner, the Frenchman has a big crown to defend, but going by his current form, it does not appear he will have much competition.
After all, he has taken over as Real Madrid’s chief goalscorer and is now often positioned as the central striker by Xabi Alonso as was the case under Carlo Ancelotti last season.
French legend opens up
Speaking to the media in a recent interview, former French international Jean-Pierre Papin opened up on Kylian Mbappe playing as a striker and how the role was not a natural fit for him.
“Mbappe has the qualities to be a great No. 9. Last year he arrived at a new club, he had a hard time adapting and, in spite of everything, he scored a lot of goals,” he began, giving Mbappe credit for his adaptation.
“I don’t think he will ever be a ‘nine’ in the penalty area. You either have it or you don’t. His main quality is speed and depth,” he added, listing out why he felt Mbappe would never flourish as a pure striker.
MADRID, SPAIN - AUGUST 19: Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid celebrates scoring his team's first goal the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and CA Osasuna at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on August 19, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Mbappe cannot thrive as a proper No. 9, reckons Papin. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Elaborating on the same topic, he went on to speak on how the Frenchman lacked the box presence to be a poacher in front of the goal.
“He doesn’t have the ability to stop and stay where he needs to be, between the penalty spot and the six-meter line. He hasn’t learned it.”
An accomplished forward himself, Papin then went on to remember his days as a player and how he had to go through a learning curve to become the striker he was.
“When I arrived in Milan, I didn’t play with my back to the goal. Capello would pull me aside, put one or two defenders behind my back to force me to play as a pivot, passing.”
“Later, at Girondins de Bordeaux, [Rolland] Courbis noticed these changes. You can always learn. As long as you want to learn,” he added, insisting that Mbappe could up his game.
Finally, the French legend opened up on one more reason he does not see the player as a striker.
“The other weak point he still has is his headers. He doesn’t like aerial contact, it’s obvious,” he concluded.
Source: Mundo Deportivo