Kylian Mbappe’s start at Real Madrid has not lived up to the high expectations surrounding his arrival, and the pressure on the French superstar continues to mount.
The scrutiny intensified following Real Madrid’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday, a match where Mbappe missed a crucial penalty that could have changed the outcome.
With Real Madrid trailing 1-0 at the time, Mbappe stepped up to take a penalty but saw his effort denied by Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher.
It marked another disappointing moment for the 25-year-old, who has managed nine goals in 18 appearances this season—a respectable tally, but below the lofty standards expected of him. The penalty miss has only added to the criticism surrounding his performances in key moments.
Despite the tough times, Mbappe has found support from former Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale, who remains confident in his abilities. Speaking to TNT Sports (via Sport), Bale expressed his belief that Mbappe is still the best player in the world and will soon prove it.
He highlighted the harshness of the criticism directed at the Frenchman, particularly in comparison to other players. Bale pointed out that while both Mbappe and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah missed penalties, the narrative has focused solely on Mbappe due to the result favoring Liverpool.
“He is the best in the world, and it is only a matter of time before he shows it,” Bale said. “Both he and Salah missed penalties, but because Liverpool won, the conversation is only about Mbappe.”
Bale also shared his thoughts on the match, criticizing Real Madrid’s overall performance. He praised Liverpool’s dominance, noting that the English side was superior throughout the game. “Liverpool were much better than Real Madrid by far,” Bale remarked. “They dominated the game from the start to the end.”
Mbappe’s struggles come at a time when Real Madrid fans are eager for him to deliver on the promise that brought him to the Santiago Bernabéu. While nine goals in 18 matches are not insignificant, the context of his missed opportunities in pivotal games has drawn attention.
However, with backing from figures like Bale, there remains hope that Mbappe will soon rediscover his best form and silence the critics.
