The derby against league leaders Barcelona is a pivotal match where a strong contribution could earn him both recognition and time as he adjusts to his new surroundings in the Spanish capital after his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in June.
Mbappe's move to Madrid was a long-awaited "dream" transfer, following numerous unsuccessful attempts by the club to bring him to La Liga.
The 25-year-old forward has netted eight goals in 13 appearances across all competitions, yet he appears to be still finding his place within the team, as coach Carlo Ancelotti seeks the optimal way to integrate him.
If he manages to score against Barcelona and assists Real Madrid in equaling the Catalans' record of 43 consecutive La Liga matches without a loss, it could significantly ease his transition.
“We are satisfied with him, because he’s scored goals,” Ancelotti told reporters Friday.
“I think he is gradually getting closer to his best level, but we are in no hurry, neither the staff nor him.
“Obviously, he will continue to improve, because he has all the qualities to do so.”
Jude Bellingham set a precedent for Mbappe last season, scoring twice in his Clasico debut to secure a victory for Madrid, and also netting a last-minute winner in the subsequent league encounter against Barcelona.
“In Mbappe, we have a striker capable of scoring 30, 35, or even 40 goals,” Ancelotti remarked, shifting the goal-scoring focus away from Bellingham, who has taken on a deeper midfield role this season.
The coach also expressed this week that he prefers Mbappe to focus on scoring rather than pressing, emphasizing his desire for the Frenchman to enhance his offensive contributions.
Mbappe has recorded six goals in La Liga, while Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski leads the scoring charts with 12, as the Catalans maintain a three-point advantage over Madrid at the top of the table.
Challenging Weeks
In a midweek Champions League match, Real Madrid staged a remarkable comeback from a two-goal deficit to defeat Borussia Dortmund 5-2, although Kylian Mbappe did not score.
The forward contributed to a goal by Antonio Rudiger and displayed his sharpness, but it was Vinicius Junior who stole the spotlight with an impressive hat-trick.
Despite expressing his ambition to net 50 goals for Madrid earlier this season, Mbappe was unable to find the back of the net during this thrilling Champions League comeback, which has historically made Madrid an attractive destination for players.
Off the pitch, the last few weeks have been tumultuous for the forward.
Reports from Sweden indicate that Mbappe is under investigation for rape following a visit to Stockholm earlier this month, although Swedish authorities have not publicly identified him.
Mbappe has labeled these allegations as “fake news,” and his lawyer has stated that the player intends to pursue legal action for defamation.
Additionally, he is embroiled in a dispute with PSG regarding 55 million euros ($59.5 million) in unpaid wages, which the French club is contesting. He has also faced backlash for missing France’s recent Nations League matches after recovering from a thigh injury.
While the upcoming Clasico won’t resolve Mbappe’s issues, a standout performance could shift the narrative and bring his name back into the spotlight for positive reasons.
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| Real Madrid’s French forward #09 Kylian Mbappe (TOP) celebrates scoring the opening goal, with Real Madrid’s Spanish defender #20 Francisco Garcia, during the Spanish league football match between RC Celta de Vigo and Real Madrid CF at the Balaidos stadium in Vigo on October 19, 2024. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP) |
Mbappe is expected to start centrally for Madrid, frequently drifting to his preferred left flank and exchanging positions with Vinicius.
A headline in the Barcelona-based newspaper Mundo Deportivo read, “How Mbappe arrives at the Clasico — much ado about nothing.”
The forward has the opportunity to silence critics in Catalonia if he adds to his impressive record of six goals in four matches against Barcelona, all during his time at PSG in the Champions League.
In the past, the Clasico has attracted over half a billion viewers, captivated by the legendary rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Perhaps now, Mbappe and Barcelona’s young talent Lamine Yamal will shape the future of this iconic clash.
Mbappe is currently focused on delivering a strong performance and achieving a positive result to mask any underlying issues as he acclimates to Madrid, while the team also adjusts to his presence.