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Kylian Mbappé could very well finish the season as La Liga's top scorer, claiming the Pichichi Trophy for a second consecutive year since his move to Spain in the summer of 2024.
No player since the legendary Mario Kempes in the late '70s has won back-to-back top scorer honors in his first two seasons in the division. Mbappé also leads this season's Champions League scoring charts with 15 goals—the highest total ever recorded by a player other than Cristiano Ronaldo.
Across exactly 100 appearances as a Real Madrid player, Mbappé has netted 85 goals. On paper alone, that is, without question, a remarkable record.
And yet, very few people would describe Mbappé's spell at Madrid as anything but a disappointment.
Mbappe at Madrid Just Isn't Working
The highest-paid player in European football has not lifted a major trophy during his two years at the Bernabéu. On the field, he has struggled to find chemistry with fellow stars Vinícius Jr and Jude Bellingham, frequently diminishing their effectiveness. Off it, he has periodically found himself at the heart of controversy, as Real Madrid stumble from one crisis to the next amid increasingly dramatic reports of a deeply fractured dressing room.
The 27-year-old was absent for Sunday's embarrassing Clásico loss that handed Barcelona the title, due to a recurring hamstring problem. His activity on Instagram during the match angered fans already frustrated with the forward, following reports of training ground tension, perceived behavioral concerns, and an ill-timed trip to Italy.
An Mbappé exit this summer seems highly improbable—despite a fan-driven petition calling for the superstar's removal attracting nearly 70 million signatures online—and the world's most prominent club and player will press on with their turbulent partnership into a third season.
Mbappé's arrival in 2024 was meant to elevate the then-European champions Madrid to new heights. Instead, the club has entered a downward spiral. So how do they turn things around?
New Manager Must Be Able to Take Control
Álvaro Arbeloa is little more than a caretaker at this stage and, in all probability, has just three matches remaining as Real Madrid manager before being replaced.
The former right back was appointed to stabilize the club following Xabi Alonso's brief and turbulent tenure, but has been unable to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
Unchecked player influence and attitude problems have been a persistent theme this season, with Alonso reportedly describing the squad as "impossible to coach" before his departure in January. Whoever takes charge next will face the twin challenges of uniting the dressing room and reinstating discipline.
There is significant deadwood to be cleared from the squad in the transfer window, and it must be made clear that nobody is above scrutiny—Mbappé included.
As the club's top earner, Mbappé's conduct sets a tone. He simply cannot be seen laughing his way out of training while his teammates are at each other's throats, or clashing with coaching staff, and so on.
Reining in the worst of Mbappé's influence will demand not just a strong manager, but also backing from an increasingly disconnected Florentino Pérez and the club's disorganized hierarchy.
Build the Team Around Mbappé
If Mbappé isn't going anywhere—and the sheer complexity of such a high-value transfer makes that scenario extremely unlikely in the near future—Madrid's best course of action is to fully commit and construct the team around their prolific superstar. The challenge lies in finding a manager capable of doing so.
José Mourinho is increasingly being touted for a return to the Bernabéu, 13 years after his bitter exit. The 63-year-old Portuguese coach offers Madrid both the sense of nostalgia they desire and the image of a disciplinarian. Mbappé himself has also appeared to signal his endorsement of a Mourinho comeback.
However, if there is one manager who has demonstrably shown he knows how to build around Mbappé, it is France national team head coach Didier Deschamps.
The 57-year-old is set to step down from his role with Les Bleus this summer and is reportedly among the candidates on Florentino Pérez's shortlist. Under Deschamps, France claimed the World Cup in 2018 and reached the final once more in 2022, with Mbappé scoring five goals across both finals.
Deschamps's pragmatic style has earned him few admirers in France despite his achievements, but he deserves credit for his ability to forge cohesive teams from a group of elite talents. He has also largely kept the off-field drama at bay at international level that has dogged Mbappé's club career.
Can Madrid Handle Both Mbappé and Vinícius Jr?
Should Madrid choose to keep Mbappé, the question of Vinícius Jr's future inevitably resurfaces.
The 25-year-old famously declared he was walking away from the club as he stormed down the tunnel during October's Clásico after being substituted by Xabi Alonso, but has since reversed course and stated his desire to sign a new deal.
Vinícius and Mbappé have failed to develop a working partnership across their two seasons together, with Mbappé's presence restricting the Brazilian's freedom on the left flank. Ultimately, the Bernabéu may not be large enough for both of them and, if Mbappé cannot be sold, Vinícius Jr may need to be the one to go.
With his contract set to run out in the summer of 2027, this coming summer represents Madrid's final chance to command a significant fee for the 2024 Best FIFA Men's Player. It would be a painful farewell, but Madrid set this chain of events in motion two years ago when they signed Mbappé.
Removing Vinícius from the picture would also free Mbappé to operate in his most natural position out wide. The club would then need to bring in a more conventional No. 9, along with the long-overdue central midfield organizer to restore balance to the side.