Lhe package took on the appearance of a package: exempt from the gathering of the French team due to an injury from which he was not supposed to have recovered, Kylian Mbappé was nevertheless the starter, Saturday October 5, during the victory (2 -0) of Real Madrid against Villarreal in the Spanish league. The Blues’ star striker did not score, but he still came out to the applause of the public at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, in the 70the minute.
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We can see in this anomaly yet another symptom of the precedence given by the players to their club rather than to their selection, or a simple arrangement agreed between Carlo Ancelotti, the Madrid coach, and Didier Deschamps. Especially since Kylian Mbappé has been rather an embarrassment for the coach of the France team recently. Present or absent, Mbappé poses a problem.
His personal priority is certainly to find a place in Madrid, which appears much less obvious than one might have thought only a few months ago: despite a flattering total of 7 goals (including three penalties) in eleven matches under his new colors, its expression on the ground is a continuation of a decidedly very complicated year 2024.
Status reinforces status
Mbappé is going through the worst period of his professional career since he lost his confidence at the same time as his status at Paris Saint-Germain, which was a first surprise, and not the least. From the start of a career so far devoid of notable slumps, he displayed an assurance which seemed foolproof, to the point of justifying the reproach of arrogance. But doesn’t pride characterize every exceptional athlete?
For great players in big clubs, status directly determines this confidence so dear to attackers. It grants them many privileges, such as the certainty of being starters, a team designed for them and a club entirely at their service, or even priority in taking penalties. Status reinforces status.
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With Euro 2024, the French team offered Mbappé the opportunity to regain his technical and mental qualities, to support the thesis of a momentary crisis of doubt, essentially linked to the heavy context within PSG, which would end as soon as more favorable conditions return. Alas, neither his speed nor his efficiency returned during the European Nations Championship, deepening doubts.
The physical decline thesis
In Germany, no more than during the two meetings of the French team in September (against Italy and Belgium), the captain of the Blues took on an already contested armband, his egocentrism appearing hardly compatible with the qualities of band leader. It was goalkeeper Mike Maignan who, on September 6 in the France-Italy locker room (1-3), made a rant aimed at general apathy… and certain particular lack of involvement.
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