A Moment Long Awaited
It may have taken a bit longer than expected, but the wait was worth it. Kylian Mbappé finally opened his goals account in La Liga for Real Madrid on Sunday night with a brace against Real Betis. These goals, his first ones for the Merengues, were an important milestone for the French forward who joined Real Madrid with much fanfare. The moment was about the integration into the team and the status that is on the rise among Madrid's faithful. Those goals were celebrated with much fanfare, not only from the goalscorer himself but also from a thunderous Santiago Bernabéu crowd, giving him a standing ovation when he was substituted during the final minutes of the match. The reaction of the Bernabéu faithful told much-a clear indication of their growing love for the 25-year-old star, which had been bumpy at the beginning when he joined Real Madrid.
After the game, Mbappé took care of the Spanish journalists in the mixed zone to speak to his journey at the club so far.
"It's a great moment; I was waiting to score in this legendary stadium, the best in the world. But the important thing was the victory-after Las Palmas, it was important to win. I feel good, and I've been saying it since I arrived: I'm happy.". People show me a lot of love, even when I didn't score. Three games without scoring is maybe nothing for some, but for me, it is. The people in the club, the supporters, have been giving me confidence to give everything for this club, said a beaming Mbappé. Initial Struggles and High Expectations
When Mbappé joined Real Madrid, expectations were high, if not extremely high.
Already considered one of the world's top talents at PSG, where he has netted over 150 goals in just over five seasons, Madrid was certainly the next step to take in his career. That initial phase didn't go as well as many people probably anticipated. Not finding the back of the net in three games is not something that would strike as particularly worrying for most players, but for someone of Mbappé's caliber, that was a big statistic. It was not only the on-field performance that laid pressure on Mbappé but also the legacy of some of the iconic players that have adorned the famous white shirt of Real Madrid. Comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo, who is regarded as one of the best players in the club's history, were inevitable. Ronaldo, for his stint in Madrid, had set a standard very few could match as he scored an astonishing 450 goals in just 438 appearances. These comparisons were soon put to rest by none other than Mbappé himself.
"As I mentioned during the introduction, I can play all three attacking positions, be it at PSG, Monaco, or with the national team.
My position is something to debate for people outside; I don't think about it. Since the first match, we improved as a team, and we will go further like that. I have no pressure when it comes to comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo.". That's football. Everyone knows the respect that I have for Cristiano, but I'm here to be Kylian. The only pressure that I feel is adapting to the team, he said. Star on Cloud Nine as Future Looks Bright First-jittery, Mbappé is over the moon following his recent success. The brace against Betis was not just about the goals; it was about sending a message-Mbappé is here to stay, and he is ready to lead the line for Los Blancos. His ability to fit into different roles in the attack has already paid dividends with Real Madrid still finding their feet under their manager.
One of the many massive benefits with Mbappé comes with his versatility. At PSG, he did play on the left side, where, if needed, he had the ability to cut inside onto his stronger right foot. For Real Madrid, Mbappé has shown himself to be able to play across the front line. It was this versatility that proved a godsend for Madrid this season, with Ancelotti's men trying to battle on multiple fronts in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
Mbappé explained how it was in the post-match interview, playing at the Bernabéu precisely at that high level of expectation that one feels when wearing a Real Madrid shirt.
"The demands of the Bernabéu don't surprise me; I come from Paris, and it's always like that when you don't win in a big club.
It's part of life; we know that it can happen, and it doesn't affect us.". Today we won, and the people were incredible with us. My adaptation? Do I have to give you a date?" said a joking Mbappé before adding: "I know that when a player like me arrives in a club, lots of things change. I am not crazy, but I really think we progressed. I feel good, and I know I can be better, and the team can be also.". Mbappé’s comments reflect a maturity beyond his years, understanding the nuances of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world. The forward is not just focused on his individual performance but also on how he can contribute to the team’s overall success.
The Road Ahead: Madrid’s New Era
With that, Mbappé made it clear that as decent as his start at Real Madrid might have been, he is optimistic for the future. The adventure of the French star in the Spanish capital has gotten underway, with even better things expected once he really gets settled in.
Real Madrid is a club steeped in tradition and proud history, and there is nothing small about the club that wants to see excellence pursued relentlessly. For Mbappé, the decision to join Madrid has not been simply about garnering trophies; rather, it is one of legacy. His ambition is clear: to be remembered as one of the greats, not just at Madrid but in the history of football.
With the future of Real Madrid in the present season, Mbappé will no doubt play an integral part in it. The squad is in transition between a mix of seasoned players and upcoming young talent. Considering his relatively tender age, experience will definitely be very crucial to see the team through some difficult fixtures while ensuring their competitiveness for top honors both domestically and in Europe.
Further Reading Links from External Sources:
- For the bigger picture on Mbappé's impact at Real Madrid and what the journey so far has been like, read this from The Guardian.
- Here's a BBC Sport feature on how Mbappé is compared to Cristiano Ronaldo.
- ESPN: More on Real Madrid's season and their calculated transfer market moves.
Now, with Mbappé finding his rhythm, the future indeed looks bright for Real Madrid. The French star has everything in place to leave a mark and take this club into a different orbit altogether. A stadium that had witnessed brilliance by legends is ready to see the rise of Kylian Mbappé. He is ready to write his own chapter as part of Madrid's glorious history.
