“Zero in big matches”: the Spanish press is losing patience with Kylian Mbappé

He no longer sees the end of the tunnel. Highly anticipated at Anfield, what's more in the absence of Vinicius Jr., freeing up space for him on the left, the position he likes the most, Kylian Mbappé thwarted. Once again (new window)we dare say, during Real Madrid's scathing defeat at Liverpool (2-0), Wednesday November 27. Seeming lost on the pitch, unable to make the difference with a gesture or a run, the Madrid number 9 experienced a dark match. Muzzled by the Konaté-van Dijk pair, he still had the ball for 1-1 at the end of his foot. A penalty rejected (new window) by Kevin Kelleher.

A failed performance, both exasperating and worrying, which the Spanish media do not fail to comment on. Without filter, as usual. “Mbappé came to Madrid to win these matches, and he contributes to losing them. He is clumsy, slow and lacks confidence”deplores the editorialist of Radio Marca (new window)Javi Amaro. “If you think you're having a bad day, think about Kylian's day.”

“Everyone runs after a turtle, who plays like a turtle”he shoots red balls, in reference to the comics Ninja Turtles and his resemblance to Donatello, the laid-back nerd of the group. And to conclude implacably: “The more Mbappé plays, the better Vinicius seems.”

Today he is not even a shadow of the player he once was.

Carlos Carpio, editor at Marca

“Raw reality”headlines the pro-Madrilenian daily Mark (new window)displaying on its front page the reaction of the captain of the France team after his penalty was stopped. Questioning the reasons, extra-sporting or sporting, for this alarming regression, the newspaper does not take it lightly when judging its current level. “The irrefutable fact is that Kylian Mbappé today is not even a shadow of the player he has been in recent years”writes editorialist Carlos Carpio. “Things don't go the way he wants them to and the crisis of confidence he suffers from devours him until he becomes an unrecognizable footballer.”

From this dark evening at Anfield, two images remain. First that of Kylian Mbappé stopped by the young Conor Bradley with a virile but correct tackle (new window) which ignited the supporters of Reds. A moment captured by Sport (new window)rather pro-Barça, the sworn enemy of Real, with the legend “Sunken” (“sunken” or “poured”in Spanish). And then there is the one showing the French striker, head upside down on the grass, after a rough shoulder hit (new window) and delayed by Virgil van Dijk. A fall, mocked and diverted (new window) on social networks, which can be found on the front pages of many Spanish newspapers to illustrate his disastrous performance.

“Trompazo Mbappé” (“The Mbappé bowl” or “the kid Mbappé”in Spanish), underlines Sports World (new window). “He was the great disappointment of an evening where everyone expected him and where he failed miserably”we can read in the pages of the Catalan daily, which highlights the critical situation of Real Madrid, European champion, only 24th in the league phase with 6 points in five matches.

A difficult moment for him

Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid coach

With its front page “Revolcon”which can be translated as “tumble”, AS drives the point home. “He was like his first steps in Madrid. He is zero in big matches and this time, he has no alibi”it is written (new window) black on white. “Not only did the Frenchman not improve this image, but he managed to make the situation worse. This Mbappé is not the Mbappé we expected (…), a supposed extraterrestrial.”

On the consultant side too, the situation is considered worrying. “Mbappé is in a process of anxiety”estimates on Movistar Plus+ Jorge Valdano, ex-scorer, coach and manager of Real. “When he touches the ball, he wants to have the match of his life. It goes against the serenity that a thoroughbred like Mbappé must have.” In the show “El Chiringuito” (new window)while an editorialist cursed to have “lost seven years” waiting for him in Madrid, Guti, former captain merenguedelivered his analysis. “It's not up to par but that's normal, the Real Madrid jersey weighs a lot.”

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In this slump, Kylian Mbappé is not alone. He can count on significant support, starting with his trainer. “It’s a difficult time for him”admitted Carlo Ancelotti. “We will support him and give him love.” “You have to be patient with him, he’s an exceptional player”he said, clemently. Jude Bellingham also defended him on camera. “He is a wonderful player, but the pressure he carries is enormous because of his qualities. The penalty is not the reason why we lost the match. As a collective, we were not good enough. Kylian can hold his head high.” His head held high and cool to quickly become the great player he was again.