Who is Real Madrid’s go-to penalty taker? Kylian Mbappe avoids debate after sharing spot-kick duty with Vinicius Junior

Real Madrid returned to La Liga action with a confident 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad, during which both Mbappe and Vinicius Junior found the back of the net from the penalty spot. Carlo Ancelotti has refused to nail down either Mbappe or Vinicius as the designated penalty taker and has instead left the decision to the players.

After the victory in San Sebastian, Mbappe spoke about his growing comfort within the squad, emphasizing that the most important factor is that all penalties have resulted in goals, regardless of who took them.

“Every game I feel better. I understand what the team, the manager, and my teammates need," Mbappe stated. "The important thing is that all four penalties were goals, not who took them."

The 2018 World Cup winner made it clear that his primary focus is helping the team succeed, particularly as the club prepares for their upcoming UEFA Champions League campaign.

"I came to Madrid to experience those kinds of Champions League nights," Mbappe said. "I’m very focused on what we have to do. The Champions League has changed; it’s a new competition, and we have to win."

Prior to this fixture, the Vinicius-Mbappe duo had already netted a spot kick each, making the situation all the more interesting as fans look to see who will take the lead in crucial moments. Vinicius appears to hold a slight advantage when it comes to seniority, having been a regular at the club longer than Mbappe. However, it seems that the Frenchman remains unfazed, choosing to focus on the bigger picture for the team rather than individual accolades.

Real Madrid’s bid to defend their UEFA Champions League title kicks off on September 17, when they host German side Stuttgart at Santiago Bernabeu. With a congested schedule looming in La Liga and Europe, both Mbappe and Vinicius form will be crucial as the team navigates the challenges ahead.