Despite scoring 36 goals in 29 games, Kylian Mbappé is reportedly at breaking point with Real Madrid’s dressing room as the Spanish giants struggle with a mid-season identity crisis.
A Dressing Room Divided?
The shock 4-2 defeat to Benfica in the Champions League playoffs earlier this week has acted as a catalyst for a brewing storm at the Santiago Bernabéu. According to Spanish broadcaster ABC, Kylian Mbappé is “extremely angry” and tired of what he perceives as a “complacent and irresponsible” attitude from several members of the squad.
While the Frenchman continues to deliver individual masterclasses netting a brace in Lisbon the team’s defensive fragility and lack of cohesion have left the 15-time European champions in a vulnerable position.
The “Mbappé Paradox”: Stats vs. Success
The numbers behind Mbappé’s debut season in Spain are staggering:
- Goals: 36
- Appearances: 29
- Role: Leading scorer and undisputed talisman.
However, a growing narrative among fans and pundits (the “Mbappé Paradox”) suggests that while his individual stats are elite, the team’s overall balance has suffered. Following the loss to Benfica, social media was flooded with debates, with some fans on X (formerly Twitter) pointing out that Real Madrid appeared “more united” before the Frenchman’s high-profile arrival from PSG.
“He could score 100 goals, but it means nothing if the team chemistry is gone,” one viral post noted. “Real Madrid looked better as a unit last year.”
Must-Win: Rayo Vallecano at the Bernabéu
Carlo Ancelotti now faces the daunting task of healing the dressing room rift before Sunday’s La Liga clash. With Barcelona pulling away at the top of the table, anything less than three points against Rayo Vallecano could turn this “instability” into a full-blown crisis.
Match Details (UK Time):
- Fixture: Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano
- Date: Sunday, Feb 1st, 2026
- Kick-off: 13:00 GMT (9:00 AM ET)
- Venue: Santiago Bernabéu
Gabriel Lucio is a football analyst covering La Liga, focusing on match analysis, tactical trends, and the race for domestic and European positions.
