Revealed: Real Madrid surprised that Kylian Mbappe is 'totally different' to Cristiano Ronaldo after 'non-idyllic' start to life at Santiago Bernabeu

The Blancos saw a protracted pursuit of World Cup winner Mbappe come to a close in the summer of 2024 when acquiring the France international as a free agent – as he reached the end of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain. He is expected to become another fan favourite at Santiago Bernabeu.

Mbappe has delivered a mixed bag for Real so far, with a goal on debut in the UEFA Super Cup followed by a run of three games without finding the target at the start of the 2024-25 La Liga campaign. He opened his account in the Spanish top-flight when bagging a brace against Real Betis.

The 25-year-old is still finding his feet in new surroundings and has impressed many in Madrid with his personality on and off the pitch. A club source has told The Athletic of the Frenchman’s start in Spain: “Has it been as idyllic as reported? No, but it hasn’t been a tragedy or something to worry about either. It’s as you would expect: an adaptation to a team that has changed a lot and in which he has to find his place. And he is finding it.”

The training ground source went on to say, as Mbappe follows in the footsteps of Real’s all-time leading goalscorer: “I thought he would have a lot more ego, but it hasn’t been like that. Here we had Cristiano, one of those players with global superstar status, but Kylian’s character is totally different to Cris. He hasn’t landed on his feet, but he’s trying everything.”

Another source that is close to a first-team player said of Mbappe’s character: “I only heard that he is completely normal and not arrogant or anything — which is already news, I would say.”

Mbappe has made a point of getting to know everybody in the Madrid camp, including the starry-eyed youngsters within the club’s academy system. He already speaks fluent Spanish and has vowed that there is more to come from him after being tipped to hit 50 goals across all competitions in his debut season.