'He's shown what he can do' - Kylian Mbappe hailed by Carlo Ancelotti for 'self-criticism' as in-form Frenchman scores again for Real Madrid against Sevilla

The World Cup winner knew that he was thrusting himself under the brightest of spotlights when agreeing to become another ‘Galactico’ at Santiago Bernabeu. His every move in the Spanish capital will be dissected in minute detail, with any supposed dip in form leading to uncomfortable questions.

Mbappe has already come through plenty of those, but has won two trophies with Los Blancos while taking his goal tally to 14 through 24 appearances. After netting in a fourth successive game, as Real saw off Sevilla 4-2, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti said of the progress being made by his fearsome No.9: “This could have been a very complicated situation for Mbappe but he has worked and shown what he can do with self-criticism. As I said on Saturday, his adaptation period is over.”

A return to form for Mbappe, who has six goals through his last eight outings, has helped to ease some of the pressure that had been building on Ancelotti following a slow start to the 2024-25 campaign by Real as a collective.

The Italian insists that he never had any fears regarding his role, with Real sitting just one point off top spot in their bid to defend their La Liga title. Ancelotti, who has savoured UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup success this term, added: “I’ve never worried for my position. It’s my responsibility when things don’t work, but the club has supported me and the players have helped us. All coaches need support their club and I trust in the club.”

Alongside their efforts to claim another domestic crown, Real are also on course to make the knockout stages of the Champions League – in the defence of another prestigious title – and will form part of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup next summer.