Mbappe says the mental shift helped change his “situation” with Real Madrid | Football news

The French star has silenced his doubters in recent weeks after struggling to adapt to the Spanish giants.

Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe believes that the shift in mentality helped him improve his “situation” in the Spanish capital after his initial struggles following his dream move from Paris Saint-Germain.

The French star played inconsistently in his first months in Madrid after joining last summer, but in recent weeks he has returned to his destructive peak.

“You always have to be calm and focus on your game and what you can improve,” Mbappe said in a press conference on Tuesday before Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Red Bull Salzburg.

“I knew I could change the situation, and now the situation has changed.”

Mbappe missed two penalty kicks against Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao near the end of 2024, and he admitted at the time that he had “reached the bottom.”

The 26-year-old has vowed to show character and overcome a shaky start, and has now scored eight goals in his last 10 matches in all football competitions.

Just when it seemed that the pressure of his lifelong dream switch to Real Madrid might be too much for Mbappe to overcome, the French star has silenced his doubters and now looks at home and ready to wreak havoc in Spain and Europe.

Mbappe continued: “It was more about the mental thing… I knew I was good physically, good for the team, but I had to do more and I knew that.”

“It was the right moment to say that now I have to change everything, change the situation, because I did not come to Madrid to play badly.

“Now everything has changed, and I have to continue, because playing well for a month is good, but it is easy.”

During a period of decline in his level and his suffering from a thigh problem, Mbappe was excluded from many of France’s squads that participated in European Nations League matches in the final months of last year.

However, the striker said he is looking forward to returning to action with his country’s national team.

Mbappe, who won the World Cup with France in 2018, said: “There is no problem with the national team… I can understand the criticism (in France).”

“I’m excited to be back in March and try to get to the UEFA Nations League semi-finals.

“My love for the national team has not changed.”

🤍🗣️ @KMbappe: “Welcome #Madridista. Very happy with the win today, we are the leaders now, and we have to continue like this. Hala Madrid!#RealMadridLas Palmas pic.twitter.com/L9hfZyzsAd

– Real Madrid FC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) January 19, 2025

“The adjustment period is over.”

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has been patient with Mbappe, often defending the striker and insisting he needs time to adapt to life in the Spanish capital and socialize with his new teammates.

The Italian also stuck to his position regarding Mbappe’s positioning, insisting since the start of the season that the French striker should play in the middle, leaving Vinicius Junior to remain on the left flank in his preferred role.

Mbappé and Vinicius had difficulty adapting, and at times occupied the same spaces on the pitch.

Ancelotti insisted on the striker and said at the end of December that Mbappe was bedridden and, after a thigh injury, was now ready to give his best.

The coach said: “The (adaptation) period that he clearly needed, because everyone needs it, has ended.”

“Where does Mbappe have to improve? Just consistently… trying to make moves that only he can do, whenever possible.

Mbappe’s skill and pace have made him unstoppable in recent weeks and he looks increasingly confident with each passing match.

Mbappe produced his best performance for Real Madrid, scoring twice against Las Palmas on Sunday to help Real Madrid to the top of La Liga.

Vinicius was suspended against Las Palmas, but will return in the Champions League, and he and Mbappe must continue to develop their partnership.

If Real Madrid’s dynamic duo can find the same wavelength, they will be ready to defend their status as European kings.