"An impossible feat"... Mbappé shatters Real Madrid's prestige

Since Mbappé returned to the starting line-up, Real Madrid have gone three matches without a win, suffering two defeats and one draw—a run that has fans worried.

His personal statistics are under scrutiny too: he has found the net only once in his last seven outings, a return that falls far short of his reputation as one of world football’s most feared finishers.

In his last four starts, the team has suffered three defeats and one draw, drawing further scrutiny for his missed opportunities in high-stakes fixtures.

Ironically, one of Real Madrid’s best runs this season came while Mbappé was sidelined by injury.

During that run, the team delivered strong performances against Manchester City, Elche and even in the derby against Atlético Madrid, looking more balanced and cohesive, which restored fans’ hope of challenging for every trophy.

Although results were not flawless, the collective display was more convincing than when the French star features.

The newspaper notes that one of the main criticisms levelled at Mbappé is his lack of understanding with Vinícius Júnior, his supposed partner in leading Real Madrid’s attack in the coming years.

Although the pair get on well off the pitch, their on-field movement often sees them occupying the same spaces, which, the paper argues, dilutes the front line’s potency.

Moreover, Mbappé’s ball-retention style, built on individual dribbles, can at times slow the tempo of attacks, contradicting the team’s more fluid, collective game.

The renowned newspaper emphasised that Mbappé’s presence affects not only the attack but the entire system, as his style demands tactical adjustments that can upset the team’s balance.

The article also quotes critics—including Mbappé himself—who acknowledge his limited defensive work-rate, a shortcoming that shifts extra burden onto teammates in high-stakes games demanding full collective commitment.

As these patterns have repeated, a growing contingent of supporters now believes the team performs better without the forward on the pitch—a notion that would have seemed unthinkable only two years ago.

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. “You won’t win our hearts even if you score 240 goals,” the Madrid camp fires back in a scathing attack on the France forward.