Is Real Madrid Actually Thriving Without Kylian Mbappe on the Pitch?

When Real Madrid landed Kylian Mbappé's signature before the 2024–25 season, the then-reigning European and Spanish champions appeared set for another period of supremacy. Nearly two years on, the world's most storied club finds itself consumed by a pervasive crisis.

Crippling defensive injuries and former boss Carlo Ancelotti were held responsible for Los Blancos' failures last season. Despite Mbappé's sluggish beginning, it was hardly justified to single out the Frenchman, who shattered virtually every scoring benchmark for a player in their debut campaign at the club.

Yet those observing Real Madrid closely enough in 2024–25 could spot the red flags that Mbappé, for all his goal-scoring, disrupted what had been a fluid attack. The club, however, decided a new manager, four summer additions or simply a fresh beginning was the remedy needed to return to winning ways.

Yet the 15-time European champions are no nearer to a major piece of silverware 11 months on than they were a year ago. In fact, things are worse—six points behind in the La Liga title race, trailing 2–1 to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals, humiliatingly knocked out of the Copa del Rey and runners-up in the Spanish Super Cup once more.

Much like the previous campaign, more than one issue is haunting the squad. Managerial upheaval, a fragile midfield and widespread injuries have done Real Madrid no favors. But Mbappé may be inflicting more damage on the Spanish giants than all three of those problems put together.

Mbappé's Production Is a Smoke Screen

Anyone looking purely at the statistics would dismiss the idea that Mbappé is Real Madrid's greatest concern. After all, the forward tops the team's scoring charts with 39 goals across all competitions this season. At one stage, he was an early frontrunner for the 2026 Ballon d'Or thanks to his output in attack.

And he deserves recognition for his dazzling start to the campaign. Mbappé carried Los Blancos to victory on multiple occasions, frequently appearing as the sole player in white on the scoresheet. It's easy to argue that Real Madrid would be even further out of the running without the France international.

It's also the simplistic take, because in the matches that mattered most, Mbappé's output evaporated. Sure, he netted four goals against Olympiacos and a hat-trick against Kairat Almaty in Champions League group stage fixtures. Against Liverpool? He was virtually invisible.

In defeats to Osasuna and Celta Vigo in La Liga? He managed a combined two shots on target across 180 minutes. Mbappé was more involved in a shock loss to Mallorca, yet he still squandered opportunity after opportunity and failed to score—a display he essentially replicated against Girona.

Those four matches alone likely cost Real Madrid any realistic chance of wresting the Spanish title from Barcelona, yet Mbappé escapes scrutiny because his overall figures paint a flattering picture that the casual observer accepts without question.

Those who have watched week after week for the past two years know better than to be deceived.

Mbappé Messes With Real Madrid's Free-Flowing Attack

When Mbappé is on the field for Real Madrid, he becomes the centerpiece of the attack. There's a collective mentality to the team's play when he leads the line: Get the ball to Mbappé.

It's the only approach Los Blancos employ. The midfielders feed Mbappé. Vinicius Junior feeds Mbappé. Trent Alexander-Arnold feeds Mbappé. Everything—and nearly everyone—becomes static simply to get the Frenchman on the ball in the hope that he will conjure something.

There's no question he can conjure something; that is not in dispute. What is, however, is just how poorly the team functions when he can't. When the strategy breaks down, Real Madrid suddenly become as straightforward to defend against as a relegation-threatened side.

Need evidence? Watch how bottom-placed Mallorca completely shut down a squad boasting some of the biggest names in the game.

Without Mbappé on the pitch, Real Madrid circulate the ball more freely, stretching defenses to open up space for Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde or even Aurélien Tchouaméni to exploit. The three players combined for 13 of the team's 16 goals across seven matches without Mbappé in the starting lineup.

They were stifled in the first two games after Mbappé returned to the XI. Against Bayern, Valverde and Tchouaméni registered just one combined shot between them. Why? Because they are prisoners to the voice echoing in their heads: Get the ball to Mbappé.

Questions Persist About Mbappé's Role at Real Madrid

Anyone could spend hours discussing Mbappé's poor work rate without the ball. It's widely documented, extensively covered and even the player himself acknowledges he contributes less defensively than his teammates in white. The issue traces back to his time at Paris Saint-Germain, and it clearly shows no signs of disappearing.

Not only is it tiresome to keep dwelling on Mbappé's reluctance to press or track back, but it's also somewhat hypocritical, given that Vinicius Jr rarely does either with any consistency.

The more significant concern is Mbappé's unwillingness to make runs into the penalty area. The 27-year-old is either hovering on the edge of the box, waiting for a pass, or drifting out to either flank. He's rarely found inside the area, where a No. 9 should be operating.

This picture of Kylian Mbappé goes hard. pic.twitter.com/sdxNAdN0Wr

He's not a natural No. 9? Fair enough. He isn't. But here's the thing—at Real Madrid, he is a No. 9. He is not Cristiano Ronaldo on the left wing or Gareth Bale on the right. Within this system, the way Los Blancos are structured, he is Karim Benzema.

Vinicius Junior won a Champions League playing alongside Benzema. He also claimed one with Jude Bellingham operating as a false nine. The Brazilian understands how to triumph on the grandest stage, provided there is a player beside him crashing the box, making runs in behind and complementing his style of play.

But now, Vinicius Jr must adapt to Mbappé's style of play—and all that has earned Real Madrid is a bare trophy cabinet.

Real Madrid's Record Tells a Damning Story

What does it reveal about Mbappé that Real Madrid produced their finest football of the season during his absence through injury? When the former PSG star headed to the treatment room to finally address his persistent knee problem, Los Blancos won six of their seven matches, defeating Benfica, Manchester City twice and Atlético Madrid along the way.

The moment Mbappé returned to Álvaro Arbeloa's starting lineup, the team dropped back-to-back matches before managing only a 1–1 draw with Girona.

In La Liga this season, Real Madrid won four of their five games without Mbappé, netting 15 goals. Why? Because every player is free to contribute and function as a cohesive unit without the France international consuming all the attention.

As for the Champions League, Los Blancos won two of three matches without Mbappé. For the statistics-minded, that amounts to six victories in eight games without the forward available across the two most important competitions.

There is a recurring issue here, one that will not be resolved regardless of who the club recruits to bolster their defense and midfield this summer. Mbappé does not belong at the Bernabéu—and it's time for Real Madrid to stop deceiving themselves.