Does Real Madrid Work Better Without Kylian Mbappé?
The Real Madrid is close to finishing a second consecutive season without trophies. In a club with such high standards, that scenario is interpreted as a complete failure. They hadn’t experienced anything like this since the 2004/05 and 2005/06 campaigns.
What stands out the most is that this decline coincides with the arrival of Kylian Mbappé. On an individual level, the French forward has met — and even exceeded — expectations. In his first season, he scored 44 goals in 59 matches. However, the team finished second in LaLiga, was eliminated in the Champions League quarterfinals, and lost the Copa del Rey final.
For the following campaign, the outlook seemed promising. Mbappé maintained his level, and Xabi Alonso, from the bench, appeared set to build a competitive team. But after losing the Spanish Super Cup to Barcelona, the Basque manager stepped down, breaking apart a playing philosophy that had just begun to take shape.
The arrival of Álvaro Arbeloa has not stabilized the team. Real Madrid sits second in LaLiga, nine points behind Barcelona; they were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Albacete and were also eliminated from the Champions League by Bayern Munich. The contrast is clear: the team is not functioning, yet Mbappé continues to produce spectacular numbers, with 40 goals in 39 matches and on track for his best scoring season.
The problem, then, is not individual — it is collective.
A Team That Lost Its Balance
Before the arrival of Mbappé, Real Madrid was a far more balanced team. There was a clear structure, with Vinícius Jr. and Jude Bellingham as the attacking focal points within a system that prioritized the collective. That team won LaLiga and the Champions League with a well-defined idea: everyone attacked, everyone defended, and responsibilities were shared.
With the arrival of the French star, the focus of play shifted. The team began to revolve around Mbappé, reducing the influence of Vinícius and Bellingham. The attack stopped being collective and became more dependent on individual actions.
Where Real Madrid Breaks Down
The main issue for Real Madrid lies in balance. Mbappé is a player who needs freedom, does not hold a fixed position, and tends to occupy the same areas as Vinícius. Both start from the left or drift into that channel to take on defenders, creating constant overlap. This causes the team to lose real width and become predictable.
Additionally, Mbappé does not have the same defensive involvement as other profiles who have played in that role in the past. This forces the midfield to cover more space, unbalancing the team in transitions. Without a player like Toni Kroos or Luka Modrić to organize play, Real Madrid loses control and struggles more without the ball.
Another key issue is the lack of a traditional number nine. Mbappé is not a classic striker. He prefers to drift wide, receive in space, and attack facing goal. This often leaves the penalty area empty, removing a clear reference point for crosses or positional play. In previous eras, Karim Benzema fulfilled that role perfectly: linking up play, pinning center-backs, and creating space for Vinícius.
Today, Real Madrid has talent — but less structure.
The Domino Effect on the Team
Vinícius has lost influence, as he no longer receives the same volume of the ball or the spaces previously generated by the system. Bellingham, meanwhile, has seen his runs into the box — one of his main strengths — reduced, as he now plays deeper to help balance the team.
The result is a more vertical but less controlled side. One that depends more on individual brilliance than on a solid collective identity.
Paradoxically, something similar happened at PSG after Mbappé’s departure. The team found better balance, stopped relying on a single star, and improved its collective performance, which translated into titles and the growth of other players. The problem is not Mbappé. It is the context in which he plays.
Real Madrid has yet to find a way to integrate his talent into a structure that elevates everyone. Today, the team revolves around one star… but has lost the harmony that once made it dominant.
Mbappé keeps delivering.
Real Madrid does not.
And that is the real dilemma.
