Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé has attributed his recent return to form to a significant change in mentality. The French star, who joined Madrid last summer in a highly anticipated move from Paris Saint-Germain, initially struggled to find his rhythm but has since rediscovered his best performances.
Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League match against RB Salzburg, the 26-year-old shared how he overcame his shaky start in Spain. “You always have to be calm and focus on your game and what you can improve,” Mbappé said. “I knew that I could change the situation, and now the situation has changed.”
Mbappé faced criticism earlier in his Madrid career, especially after missing crucial penalties against Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao late last year. At the time, he admitted that he had “hit rock bottom” but vowed to showcase his resilience. He has since turned his season around, scoring eight goals in his last 10 matches across all competitions.
Reflecting on his struggles, Mbappé said, “It was more of a mental thing. I knew I was good physically, good with the team, the group, but I had to do more, and I knew it. It was the moment to say that now I had to change everything, change the situation, because I didn’t come to Madrid to play badly.”
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He emphasized that his journey is far from over. “Now it’s all changed, and I have to continue, because playing well for a month is good, but it’s easy,” he added.
Mbappé’s early challenges in Madrid were compounded by a thigh injury that sidelined him for several weeks and led to his exclusion from France’s national team for Nations League matches in late 2024. Despite this setback, Mbappé remains eager to contribute to the French squad.
“There’s no issue with the national team… I can understand the criticism in France,” he said. “I’m excited to return in March and try to reach the Nations League semi-finals. My love for the national team has not changed.”
Mbappé’s performance improvements have reignited excitement among Madrid fans and football enthusiasts worldwide. With a challenging Champions League match against RB Salzburg on the horizon, all eyes are on the Frenchman to see if he can maintain his stunning form and help propel Real Madrid to greater heights.