Kylian Mbappé’s time at Real Madrid has been far from the seamless transition many fans expected. Despite arriving last summer as the cherry on top of a team coming off a Champions League title, the French forward has faced mounting criticism. 

His recent performances, coupled with missed penalties that proved pivotal in several Real Madrid's defeats, the last one against Athletic Club, have left many questioning whether Mbappé is truly cut out for the pressure cooker that is the Santiago Bernabéu.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Early Prediction

Interestingly, back in September, a prominent figure had already warned about the potential challenges Mbappé might face in Madrid. That figure was none other than Cristiano Ronaldo. In an interview with Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo shared his thoughts on Mbappé’s upcoming move to the Spanish capital.

"Let's see if his mind is clear and if he can handle the pressure because Real Madrid is not PSG. I can tell you that," Cristiano said. "Mbappé is going there now, and you’ll ask, will Real Madrid be better with him? We don’t know, we’ll have to see."

CR7's Insight Proves to Be Spot On

Ronaldo, ever the seasoned veteran of the pressure cooker that is top-tier football, also added, "I think Real Madrid will remain strong, but I don’t know if they will be better than last year. We’ll see. Only God knows. But they have a great team, with great players."

As Mbappé’s struggles continue, Ronaldo's words have come back into the spotlight. With Mbappé failing to meet expectations and seemingly struggling under the weight of the iconic Real Madrid shirt, Cristiano's early warning appears more prescient than ever. 

As time unfolds, it’s clear that the pressure of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world may be a much tougher challenge for the French star than he anticipated. Ronaldo’s advice to keep a clear head and navigate the immense pressure could prove to be more relevant than ever as Mbappé looks to find his footing at Real Madrid.