Kylian Mbappe’s debut season at Real Madrid has not been as smooth as he would have hoped for. The 26-year-old Frenchman has had his ups and downs during the course of the past eight months or so at the Spanish capital club.
After an uncharacteristically slow start, the forward seemed to have come into his own and his form in early 2025 was red-hot, to say the least.
But after the UEFA Champions League playoff victory against Manchester City, where he scored a stunning hat-trick, things have tapered off somewhat for Mbappe and the coaching staff led by Carlo Ancelotti have made it a mission to help him recover his best version.
Waiting for a reaction
Now, according to MARCA, everyone at the club is seeking a reaction from Mbappe. From the club to the coaching staff, all parties are eager to see the best version of the French forward return to the pitch.
Ancelotti is an expert in handling players and finding the right solution to restore their top form, particularly when it comes to footballing superstars. He has done this throughout his career, and this season, he has already had a few sessions with Mbappe.
Both believe that these conversations are valuable, and the current goal is to regain the spark that has been missing over the past two weeks.
Ancelotti trying to help Mbappe return to his best.. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
It has been reiterated to Mbappe in recent days that he needs to recognise that playing for Real Madrid is an entirely different challenge. While PSG may have allowed for periods of inconsistency, that is simply not acceptable at the Santiago Bernabeu.
A player of his calibre is expected to step up in every match. Ancelotti, who understands PSG and the stark differences between the French champions and the Spanish giants, has made this clear to the forward.
Message received
As soon as the derby against Atletico Madrid ended this week, Mbappe received direct messages regarding his performance. His reaction in the subsequent training sessions suggests that he has taken these words to heart.
Now, he understands that he must return to the form that once amazed everyone. The club and coaching staff have confidence in him and continue to demand the best from him, but he knows the reaction must come immediately.
Furthermore, Ancelotti has advised Mbappe not to hesitate when attacking the opposition’s goal, urging him not to waste scoring opportunities due to the back-and-forth passing sequences that sometimes occur between him and Vinicius Jr.
The return of Jude Bellingham, who missed the last two matches, is also expected to help Mbappe.