“I have a question for you: do you see a disturbed player? ». Here’s how Kylian Mbappé dismissed his difficulties on the field with the back of his hand, less than a year ago, when he was stuck in his setbacks with Paris Saint-Germain. An annoying message, difficult to decipher, with frying on the line. And an attitude that didn’t really work for him.
The months passed and the star multiplied the lackluster performances, including during Euro 2024 with the French team, where he was eagerly awaited, and during his first months at Real Madrid. But water has flowed under the bridge, and the former Parisian finally seems to be regaining his feelings.
Mbappé, a welcome self-criticism
Sunday, Mbappé was the author of a full match – certainly his best with Real Madrid, against Sevilla FC (4-2) – with a sublime goal and an assist (for Brahim Diaz). “He demonstrated self-criticism and, thanks to this attitude, he was able to overcome a complicated situation, underlined Carlo Ancelotti. It already shows all its quality. Yesterday I said “his adaptation period is over” and today he proved me right from time to time.”
Carlo Ancelotti’s words are chosen, weighed, but they make sense. Calm and phlegmatic, the Italian technician did not fail to include the term self-criticism in Mbappé’s current approach. This questioning involves new communication, fluid and direct.
Far from the Superman postures in which he can sometimes lock himself, the Bondy prodigy has removed his cape to become more human again, although we are still far from knowing Clark Kent… This can be felt in front of the microphones: participation in the program BeUnited with people with disabilities for beIN SPORTS, and new elements of language, closer to reality, like this strong sentence Sunday evening on Real Madrid TV: “I hit rock bottom” in reference to his match in Bilbao where he missed a second penalty in two weeks. Even his interview with Mouloud Achour for the show Clique, very controlled, will perhaps remain more beneficial for him than informative for us.
2025 will tell if the general public can get back on the Mbappé train
By verbalizing his difficulties, Kylian Mbappé lifted a weight off himself to get off on the right foot while showing a more natural, more authentic face with the general public. A way to prove, if necessary, that even the greatest champions have rough edges. Mbappé no longer tells us his truth, but the truth. At least, he swallows his pride a little to get closer. And that’s good, since this approach is bearing fruit on the ground – the only truth that matters, precisely.
After the Euro in 2021, the first major failure of his career, the Blues striker waited until the fall to do a small media tour (L’Équipe, RMC). Behind, the one who still carried PSG on his shoulders had the best year of his career. The book of a great champion is the same as that of ordinary mortals. Each chapter is a cycle: blossoming, breaking, rebounding, wounds, misunderstandings, redemption, forgiveness. 2025 will tell us if the general public can get back on the Mbappé train. Until then, we can only welcome the fact that the captain of the France team has put his problems into words. This is perhaps his biggest step towards renewal.
