Kylian Mbappe has admitted that he “couldn’t do any worse” having initially struggled to adapt to life at Real Madrid.
The Frenchman completed his free transfer from PSG to the Bernabeu last summer. However, Kylian Mbappe received criticism for missing several big chances in a number of big encounters.
He missed two massive penalties in a week against Liverpool in the Champions League and then against Athletic Bilbao in LaLiga. It saw Mbappe claim he had hit “rock bottom” following his poor run of form.
Mbappe has since turned things around at Real. He has scored 18 goals in all competitions, including four in his last three games.
But the 26-year-old has revealed what went through his mind during those early days.
What Did Kylian Mbappe Say On His Early Real Madrid Struggles?
“I was thinking a lot,” Mbappe said ahead of Madrid’s game with RB Salzburg, when asked why it’s taken him a bit of time to settle.
“I was adapting, thinking a lot about how to move, how to find space, whether I should get into Vinicius Junior’s zone, or Rodrygo’s. When you think so much, you don’t play well.”
🗣 Kylian Mbappé: "What has changed? It was mental. I said it was time to wake up and help Real Madrid. I haven't come here to play badly." pic.twitter.com/0BjK6Qa8fr
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) January 21, 2025
“It was more mental,” Mbappe added. “I was physically fine, happy with the team, the group, but I had to give more. I knew it.
“I said to myself ‘now’s the moment. It’s time to change. You didn’t come to Madrid to play badly’.”
Mbappe Ready To Bounce Back And Steer Real To More Titles
Since joining Real Madrid, Mbappe has won two trophies at his new club. He helped the Spanish giants win the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
However, Real fell to a humiliating defeat at the hands of fierce rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final last week.
Mbappe scored a stunning opener in the 5-2 defeat and is ready to put that behind him
“It’s normal. People expected a lot of me,” Mbappe said. “I don’t take it personally, it’s football. You have to stay calm and focused. I knew the situation could change.”
Kelleher saves Mbappé’s penalty! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/SqDe1UOZ0u
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 27, 2024
The two penalty misses against Liverpool and Bilbao left Mbappe at “rock bottom” – leaving Mbappe only wanting to improve.
“I’m a player who always wants to do more,” Mbappe said. “And when you see that you don’t do that, it affects you… After the game [in Bilbao], I knew I couldn’t do worse, that I could only improve.”
