A distinction needs to be made: Kylian Mbappe has not yet shown the level of form expected of a player of his caliber, despite his undoubted potential. The Frenchman’s struggles at his new club, Real Madrid, have been a source of frustration for many.
According to none other than Arsenal icon, Thierry Henry, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner still has a lot to learn. Henry believes that Mbappe must adapt quickly, as Los Blancos are notorious for not giving their players sufficient time to settle in. The fact that Mbappe has been playing primarily through the middle, rather than his natural position as a No.9, has also affected his output in front of goal, a mere eight goals in 13 matches being a far cry from his usual impressive tally.
Speaking on CBS Sports Golazo, Henry emphasized: “Is he playing the best that we have seen him playing from his days at PSG? No. He still has to learn. He needs to play better as a No.9, which is very difficult for him at the minute. He is scoring goals, but that isn’t enough at times at clubs like that (Real Madrid). I will play the devil’s advocate: we always say it takes time for a player to adapt to a new club, but unfortunately, when you wear that jersey, they don’t give you a lot of time.”
The arrival of Vinicius Jr. has perhaps added to Mbappe’s struggles, as the Brazilian winger has taken to the role of Real Madrid’s primary goal-contributor with surprising ease. Having already scored eight goals and provided seven assists since the start of the 2024-25 season, Vinicius Jr. delivered a breathtaking performance in a recent UEFA Champions League tie against Borussia Dortmund, securing a 5-2 victory for his team with a 30-minute hat-trick. His scintillating display earned him the Man of the Match award, leaving many to question whether Mbappe has the capacity to adapt and produce results that significantly impact the team’s success.
