He has not yet blown his first candle in Madrid that criticism is already starting to fall. Kylian Mbappé, after a high-flying season with 44 goals scored in all competitions, thought he had conquered the White House. But a voice rises to recall that individual excellence is not always enough in such a demanding club. And this voice is that of a club former, who does not go there by four paths.
Mbappé: a full season, but a clear message
Predrag Mijatović, former player and ex-sports director of Real Madrid, publicly warned the executives of the Merengue attack. In its remarks relayed by several Spanish media, Montenegrin has targeted Mbappé, Vinicius and Rodrygo by name, blaming them for a lack of collective investment: “Accumulating stars with high potential is sometimes counterproductive. If players are not happy or do not feel supported, they cannot give their best. »» An outing that resonates strongly when Xabi Alonso is about to attack his first season on the Bernabeu side.
Beyond the general message, it is Mbappé who crystallizes attention. His propensity to neglect the defensive tasks annoys certain observers close to the club. Mijatović was not more explicit, but the implication is clear: Real Madrid is not a showcase for individualistic talents. Even scoring 40 goals, you have to blend into the collective and wet the jersey. It is a tacit red line in the locker room, and Mbappé does not escape it.
Mijatović puts pressure on Mbappé for his second season
Madrid, the kingdom where individualism does not forgive
This outing comes in a context of possible rebalancing of the workforce. A departure from Vinicius, mentioned insistently, could offer the team a more homogeneous face. And indirectly, force Mbappé to descend from a notch in the investment. In Madrid, everything is played in detail, and the elders are there to remind him.
Mbappé now knows: even a successful season does not protect him from criticism. In Madrid, the requirement is permanent. And sometimes it is the voices of the past that howl the strongest to recall the rules.
