Kylian Mbappe and the Sky-High Expectations at Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe’s first season in a Real Madrid shirt was always going to be scrutinised under a microscope. After years of speculation, contract drama, and the tug-of-war with Paris Saint-Germain, the French superstar finally made the long-anticipated move to the Santiago Bernabéu last summer. But while his arrival promised fireworks, the reality was far more complicated.

Former France international Emmanuel Petit has now leapt to Mbappe’s defence, arguing that the forward became the easy scapegoat for Madrid’s shortcomings. In an interview with AS, Petit suggested that the criticisms aimed at Mbappe were unfair, and that the challenges Madrid faced last season ran far deeper than one player’s adaptation.

A Rocky Start to Life in Madrid

For all the excitement surrounding his free transfer from PSG, Mbappe’s opening months in La Liga were far from the dream start he and Madrid fans had envisioned. The 26-year-old was tasked with operating as a central striker, often leaving Vinicius Junior to occupy the left wing, but the partnership between the two failed to ignite.

In the early months, Mbappe’s finishing deserted him at crucial moments. A missed penalty against Liverpool in the Champions League, followed by another costly miss against Athletic Club in La Liga, quickly placed him under the spotlight. By mid-season, he was averaging just a goal every two games – an output that, for most strikers, would be respectable, but for a player accustomed to superhuman numbers in Paris, looked worryingly ordinary.

Criticism mounted. Pundits accused him of slowing Madrid’s attack. Supporters began questioning whether he could adapt to life outside of Paris. The narrative began to take shape: Mbappe was not the answer to Madrid’s problems.

A Season of Contrasts

And yet, despite the difficult start, Mbappe’s quality inevitably began to shine through. His turning point came in the Champions League playoff round against Manchester City, where he produced a stunning hat-trick to announce himself on Europe’s biggest stage.

Against Barcelona, he showed flashes of the ruthless forward Madrid thought they had signed, scoring five goals in four appearances against their eternal rivals, including a sensational hat-trick at Camp Nou. Ironically, those goals all came in losing causes, adding fuel to the criticism that his brilliance did not translate into team success.

Still, Mbappe ended the campaign with a staggering 44 goals in 59 appearances across all competitions. He clinched both the Pichichi trophy and the European Golden Shoe with 31 league goals – individual accolades that confirmed he remained one of the most lethal forwards in the game. Yet for Madrid fans, the disappointment lingered: no Champions League, no La Liga title, and no major silverware to match his personal achievements.

Petit’s Defence: “People Took the Easy Way Out”

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When asked about the perception that PSG improved after Mbappe’s exit – with the Parisians winning their first-ever Champions League title – Petit offered a more nuanced perspective.

“Last season, everyone at PSG said that, since he left, they finally had a real team, with soul. Everyone played for each other, and there were no selfish players on the pitch,” Petit said. “And recently, it seems to have been proven that they were right to close the door on Kylian Mbappe.”

But the former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder was quick to add that Madrid’s problems were never solely Mbappe’s fault. “I don’t want to take the easy way out. Despite Madrid’s struggles, Mbappe still had a good season. He scored a lot of goals. The real issue was that they were missing too many key players. When you lose Toni Kroos, when Luka Modric is no longer the same player, when defenders are absent through injury, everything gets complicated.”

Petit also pointed to ego clashes within the squad – between Rodrygo, Vinicius, Jude Bellingham, and Mbappe himself – as a factor that undermined cohesion. “In many ways, it was a transitional season for Madrid. But all the attention fell on Mbappe, because he was the big signing. People took the easy way out, saying Madrid’s problems were because of him.”

The Weight of Expectations

If last year was difficult, this one promises to be even more demanding. With PSG lifting the Champions League immediately after his departure, the narrative has already taken root: Mbappe left Paris to win Europe’s biggest prize, but PSG managed to do it without him.

Petit believes that dynamic has only added pressure. “Now the pressure on him is even greater than last season,” he explained. “Don’t forget that, when Mbappe left PSG, he went through difficult times off the pitch. He was in court against the club over financial issues; he was accused of several things away from football. He had a lot on his mind. But this season, he knows he has to do something bigger than last year. He went to Madrid with one goal: to win the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or. PSG won it instead. Expectations are sky-high.”

That pressure is magnified by the calendar. The 2025-26 season is not only a chance for Madrid to reclaim European supremacy; it also leads directly into the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For Mbappe, the year ahead is not just about trophies – it is about cementing his legacy.

Early Signs of a Resurgence

Encouragingly for Madrid, Mbappe has started the new campaign in electric form. Three goals in his opening two league games suggest a sharper, leaner, and more confident forward than the one who stumbled out of the blocks last year.

Head coach Xabi Alonso has praised Mbappe in recent press conferences, noting his improved movement and agility. Madrid will hope this is the version of their talisman that can lead them back to the pinnacle of European football.

Their next test comes this Saturday at the Bernabéu against Mallorca, the final fixture before the international break. For Mbappe, another strong performance would only reinforce the sense that this season could finally be the one where his move to Madrid lives up to the hype.

Conclusion: The Defining Season Ahead

Kylian Mbappe has always thrived under the spotlight, but the weight on his shoulders at Real Madrid is unlike anything he faced at PSG. Last season may have been a transitional one, but the narrative of PSG’s triumph and Madrid’s failure means excuses will be thin on the ground this time.

As Petit rightly points out, Madrid’s struggles were about more than just one player. But in football, perception often outweighs nuance. Mbappe is not just another Galactico; he is the Galactico. And with sky-high expectations at both club and international level, the 2025-26 campaign may well define not just his time in Madrid, but his place in football history.