Kylian Mbappe ‘doesn’t like’ being treated differently to Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid – with World Cup winner finding it difficult to accept being ‘just another player’

The World Cup-winning Frenchman became another ‘Galactico’ addition at Santiago Bernabeu during the summer of 2024. He was expected to become a talismanic presence for the Blancos, with talk of 50-goal campaigns doing the rounds shortly after his arrival.

Mbappe has found the going tougher than expected - with the 25-year-old being moved out of his favoured left wing berth and into a central striking role - and has picked up an unfortunate habit of missing penalties. He has cut a frustrated figure at times, with the former Paris Saint-German forward being denied the kind of status in Madrid that CR7 once enjoyed.

Ex-Real midfielder Van der Vaart has told BetMGM of Mbappe’s early struggles in Spain: “I don’t think he feels welcome at Real Madrid yet. When you go from being the biggest player at a club like he was at PSG to being one of many, it’s hard. You have to learn to almost share the stage and that’s difficult.

“When Cristiano Ronaldo came to Madrid, when I was there, we all knew that whatever he wanted, like taking free kicks or penalties, he got, but that’s not the case with Mbappe and it comes across to me that he doesn’t like that. He needs to be the star and at Real Madrid he’s just another player which he’s finding very hard to accept.

“Make no mistake, he has all the quality in the world, but I do think he’s better from the left side. With that in mind, I don’t understand why they signed him as they have a world-class player in that position in Vinicius Jr.”

Van der Vaart – who also spent time with the likes of Ajax and Tottenham in his playing days - went on to say of the issues that Mbappe is having to contend with in the Spanish capital, as he scratches around for a professional spark: “You can’t forget how much pressure there is playing for Madrid. Every day is like a game day there - every training session is all over the papers and all people talk about is football.

“In London, you can sort of get away with going into town, not in Madrid. I never saw the centre of the city while I was a player there.”

Mbappe has reached double figures for goals in 2024-25, with the target being found on 10 occasions through 20 appearances in all competitions, but that tally could have been considerably higher and questions continue to be asked of his suitability to Carlo Ancelotti’s star-studded ranks.