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Kylian Mbappe's arrival at Madrid has been a tactical mess with the footballer growing frustrated with not being played in his preferred role.
Kylian Mbappé’s dream of starring in a white Real Madrid jersey is quickly turning into a nightmare.
His high-profile arrival at the Santiago Bernabéu over the summer was meant to be the dawn of a new Galáctico era.
However, just months in, reports are emerging that Mbappé feels “fed up” with his role, particularly in the shadow of the team's Brazilian star, Vinicius Jr.
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The two forwards play in similar positions on the left, and with both players unwilling to compromise, tension is said to be brewing in Madrid’s dressing room and beyond, despite several denials by Los Blancos coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Mbappe struggling for his spot on the left
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Mbappé’s discomfort is clear. At PSG, he enjoyed free rein on the left side of the attack, often the central figure in every offensive play.
Now, with Vinicius excelling in the same spot, Mbappé has been forced to adapt to a more central role—one that he reportedly finds stifling.
Scoring just eight goals in 15 games, the 25-year-old France captain has endured one of his most underwhelming starts in years, unable to replicate his explosive PSG form.
According to SPORT, sources close to Mbappé say he’s unhappy with the limited space and opportunities compared to his time in Paris.
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The tension doesn’t stop with Mbappé’s personal performance as it is also affecting the whole team’s dynamics.
Notably, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham, other key figures in Ancelotti’s lineup, are also feeling the impact of this clash.
With Mbappé and Vinicius both vying for the same role, Rodrygo has seen less playing time, while Bellingham has had to shift to a more defensive role, diminishing his offensive influence that saw him win the LaLiga Player of the season having reached double figures in goals and assists in the previous campaign.
Madrid fell to a 3-1 defeat against Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday, making it back-to-back home defeats this season, having been humbled by Barcelona in LaLiga two weeks ago.
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It is already looking like a tactical mess, and Ancelotti’s inability to resolve it has only heightened frustrations.
Madrid’s management faces a looming dilemma: should they prioritise Mbappé’s talent or Vinicius’ seamless fit within the team?
While Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez is rumoured to favour Mbappé as the team’s cornerstone, Vinicius’ impact on the pitch has been undeniable.
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