Fatshimetrie: Kylian Mbappe’s Test at Real Madrid
It has not been an easy season for football star Kylian Mbappe, who missed a penalty in Real Madrid’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday. While the club’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti conceded that Liverpool deserved the win, he stressed that Mbappe needed support.
Ancelotti told a press conference: “It has happened to me many times in my career. I think when you are a striker you want to score. You are a little disappointed in yourself when you don’t. I think there is a cure which is to be patient. To be patient, because I think it is a difficult moment for him. We all have to give him our support and he will get through it soon.”
Real Madrid have lost three of their last five games, finishing in 24th place this season. In addition to the Liverpool game, the club have suffered a 4-0 home defeat to Barcelona and a 3-1 loss to AC Milan.
This summer, Mbappe signed with the club for an undisclosed fee, with many claiming it was the most expensive free transfer in football. The 25-year-old called it a “dream come true”.
Earlier this season, Mbappe pulled out of France’s Nations League games against Israel and Belgium, focusing on his recovery from a thigh injury.
However, headlines soon emerged of speculation in the Swedish media, linking Mbappe to a rape accusation in Stockholm, which was filed shortly after the player’s trip to the city in October.
Ancelotti has previously said that Mbappe was “not affected at all” by the reports. Mbappe, meanwhile, has called the reports “false and irresponsible.”
Mbappe led France to a World Cup title as a teenager in 2018.
Real Madrid captain Luka Modric knows first-hand the pressures the club’s players face. He said that while Mbappe is going through a difficult time, it is by no means a static situation.
“It’s never easy to start at Madrid, the first seasons are difficult,” Modric said. “But he’s a player with a lot of experience. He’s a star, and he’s been one of the best players in the world for several years now.”
Mbappe and Real Madrid could have a good chance to get back to winning ways when they host Getafe in La Liga on Sunday.
“He has our support and he knows how to overcome this: by not losing confidence and working every day,” Modric said. “I’m sure he’ll find a way to get through this and show why he’s here.”