Mbappé: A Surprise Departure Takes Shape, Shocking Real Madrid
Real Madrid’s troubles deepened on Tuesday night with a humiliating 1-3 defeat at home to AC Milan in the Champions League. Facing a major crisis, President Florentino Perez is reportedly prepared to make a tough decision between Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Jr., both of whom have been under fire in recent weeks.
The loss to AC Milan left Real Madrid in 17th place in the new Champions League ranking, adding to the club’s already troubling position in La Liga, where they trail Barcelona by nine points. With a series of underwhelming performances, the team is struggling to find consistency, and much of the blame is being directed at Kylian Mbappé, who has been less impactful this season.
Mbappé has faced significant challenges adapting to the central striker role at Real Madrid, a position he is not accustomed to. Historically, the French forward thrived on the left wing, but due to tactical changes, he has been forced into a role that does not suit his playing style. Similar to other forwards like Karim Benzema and Thierry Henry, Mbappé’s transition to the center-forward position has been far from smooth.
Vinicius Jr. vs Mbappé: A Strategic Dilemma
Carlo Ancelotti faces a tough decision as he tries to restore balance to the team. Both Mbappé and Vinicius Jr. prefer playing on the left side, and with the Frenchman struggling in the central role, Ancelotti might be forced to choose between the two. The situation is further complicated by Mbappé’s growing frustration with playing as a central forward.
According to SPORT, Florentino Perez is already considering the possibility of parting ways with Vinicius Jr. to accommodate Mbappé in a position where he can thrive. The Spanish newspaper reports that Perez is prepared to offer Mbappé a lucrative 5-year contract, making him the highest-paid player at the club. Mbappé’s star power also plays a significant role in this decision, as he is a major marketing asset for Real Madrid, generating substantial revenue for the club.
Perez’s Predicament: Choosing Between Two TalentsIt is clear that Perez would prioritize Mbappé over Vinicius Jr. if forced to choose between the two. Real Madrid has long been aware of the tactical challenges posed by signing Mbappé, a player accustomed to a more central role. Similar to the dynamics at PSG, where Neymar’s injuries allowed Mbappé to take center stage, a similar scenario could unfold at Real Madrid if the club decides to build around Mbappé instead of Vinicius.
Vinicius has become a key figure for Real Madrid in recent months, showing more consistency and decisiveness than Mbappé. Yet, for Real Madrid’s long-term project to reach its full potential, it may come down to a difficult choice between these two gifted players.
As Real Madrid navigates this difficult period, the future of Mbappé and Vinicius Jr. could determine the club’s direction in the upcoming transfer windows.