Like in 2021, Kylian Mbappé missed out on his Euro. Powerless against the Spanish, the captain of the French team was unable to prevent his team’s elimination in the semi-final on July 9 in Munich. Out of form in recent months, the striker is going through a complicated time in his career, while a new dimension now awaits him at Real Madrid.
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There are two Kylian Mbappés. There is the one who walks on water during the World Cups, causing panic in the numbers and defenses. And there is the one who tramples during the Euro, bungling his football and leaving the tournament by the back door.
At 19, the prodigy was crowned world champion in Russia by scoring four goals in the competition. But during Euro 2021, he remained silent, even missing the fatal penalty against Switzerland in the round of 16.
During the 2022 World Cup, “Kyky” had caught fire by scoring eight times, including a hat-trick in the epic final loss to Argentina. And in this Euro 2024 which has just ended for France, he only scored one goal on a penalty against Poland and again displayed his difficulties of recent months.
Surprisingly, how this impression of overpowering the World Cup contrasts with this slump in the European Nations Championship.
” A failed competition “, with or without a mask
This Euro in Germany was troubled from the first match against Austria, where Kylian Mbappé broke his nose. The number 10 of the Blues avoided the operation, but missed the second match against the Netherlands, and then had to wear a protective mask against Poland in the first round, then against Belgium in the round of 16 and against Portugal in the quarter-finals. It was only against Spain in the semi-final that he took it off.
With this accessory on his face, the Frenchman was hampered in his vision, while he was already less inclined to go into contact so as not to risk aggravating his injury. Against the Furia Roja, Mbappé decided to do without it. I was fed up, I couldn’t see well with it. I spoke to the doctor to see if I could play without it and I don’t regret it. “, he confided afterwards. But even unmasked, the ex-Parisian was not more flamboyant, like his insipid performances against the Austrians, the Poles, the Belgians and the Portuguese.
There was that assist for Randal Kolo Muani early in the game, a not insignificant fact. But that was about it. Behind, the captain never found a solution to destabilize the Spanish team, failing in almost all his provocations. Far, very far from the player we have already seen many times, capable of eliminating his opponents and turning everything upside down.
After the elimination in the last four, Kylian Mbappé did not hide behind his little finger. In front of the press, when giving his opinion on his performance throughout the competition, the striker declared: ” It’s difficult, it’s a failure. We had the ambition to be European champions, I had the ambition to be European champions. We’re not. So from that moment on, it’s a failed competition. »
Rest to be taken before his Real Madrid debut
A ” failed competition “, like three years ago, and a failure that is part of a complicated last year. Kylian Mbappé’s final season at Paris Saint-Germain was very chaotic. Of course, the player still scored a lot. But what a stormy season it was, this 2023-2024 season. During the summer preparation, his club suspended him for several weeks when he refused to extend his contract to leave on a free. Reinstated, Mbappé lost his place as an irremovable starter, coach Luis Enrique wanting to get his team used to playing without the striker who was leaving for Real Madrid.
Thus, the player who has been with INF Clairefontaine and AS Monaco has appeared out of shape in recent months, less strong, less fast, less powerful and less decisive. In the semi-final of the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund, he could do nothing to wake up his team. During the Euro, Mbappé was often invisible, the opposite of the unbearable poison in Qatar during the last World Cup. Worse, he himself asked to leave the pitch during extra time against Portugal, as his legs were no longer able to keep up. I didn’t feel anymore, I was too tired ” he said, from the height of his 25 years.
After Tuesday’s setback, Kylian Mbappé confirmed that he needed a break. The ambition of playing in the Olympic Games has, in any case, been buried for a long time. I have to go back, go on vacation. I think I need it. I’m going to rest well to come back fresh when I resume and do a lot of preparation. “, he confided. A rest to come undoubtedly salutary, because a new world awaits him.
More specifically, Real Madrid is waiting for him. “KM” signed with the White House on June 3. And on July 10, the Spanish giant announced that its new jewel, who will wear the number 9, will be officially presented in the legendary Santiago Bernabeu stadium on July 16. The Frenchman is not expected to make his official debut in the white jersey of Real until the end of August. Until then, Kylian Mbappé needs to get back on track, because in Madrid, a lot is expected of him.