After nearly seven years of pursuit, Real Madrid have finally got their man. Kylian Mbappe will be a Real Madrid player. The irony of this multi-year pursuit, and all the drama that followed, is that the talented Frenchman now arrives in his peak years, yet the team dynamic is at a point where he is least needed. This Real Madrid team is made up of a squad that lost just two games all season and achieved a historic double for the second time in three years. To put that success into context: over Real Madrid’s illustrious 122-year history, it took them 59 years between their first double (1958) and their second (2017). Two doubles – La Liga and the Champions League – in three years mean there is a special group currently at the helm. There is hardly room for improvement, but improvement is what the Real Madrid faithful will demand.
During those years of pursuit, club president Florentino Perez would be flagged down by fans and pleaded with to sign Mbappe, “presi, presi ficha Mbappe”. It seemed inevitable, until it wasn’t. Until Mbappe took part in a ceremony at PSG’s home stadium, the Parc des Princes, holding an “Mbappe 2025” PSG shirt. The player shocked the world by renewing with his hometown club for what was reported as obscene amounts of money as well as sporting influence. A 23-year-old kid was put under immense political and financial pressure, a burden that swayed his decision. Few Madrid fans had issue with him renewing given the contract on offer, it was the manner in which he dragged out the saga, and the constant flirtation with the club, that left a bad taste in the mouth. Those psychological wounds mean the Frenchman will have work to do to repair the damage done with a portion of the Madrid fan base.
Life moved on, and Real Madrid moved on. Vinicius exploded, Rodrygo developed, Benzema became god-like, Courtois was the best goalkeeper in the world, and the most talented young players continued to arrive: Camavinga, Tchouameni, Bellingham, Arda, and Endrick. The new Santiago Bernabeu morphed into an architectural and entertainment wonder. The club chugged along and continued to reach new heights without Mbappe.
The question now is, can even higher heights be hit or will Kylian upset the balance? On the one hand, when focused and in-form, there is arguably no greater threat in the final third in all of world football. He is the true definition of a generational talent with a skillset that could take this great team to yet another level. On the other hand, Mbappe has developed a reputation, whether fair or not, of putting himself first. Putting his ego first. Be it through negotiation tactics, subtle Instagram stories with subliminal messages, on-field pouts and visible frustration, or his influence on PSG’s exodus of stars like Neymar and Messi, and even his insistence on image rights — they have all painted a picture of a character that is looking out for himself.
Some will argue that the off-field antics will not matter if the on-field performances excel. The current Real Madrid dressing room has proven otherwise. The best approach for Mbappe? Quickly fall in line with the team-first mentality cultivated by this unique group. After the Champions League final victory over Dortmund, Florentino Perez spoke about that mentality: “The key to this team’s success is that it’s a family. No one tries to be more important than anyone else”. Ancelotti echoed his words and pointed to the team unity as a source of their success: “This Madrid is a football family where everyone works and there is a very healthy atmosphere.” In fact, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior are each pushing for the other to win the Ballon d’Or. The two amicably traded penalty kicks over the season. Fans, even those who support other clubs, often tout how likable this group of players is. If there was a way to measure club drama, it would read at a multi-decade low.
For Mbappe is to win over the hearts of all Madrid fans, it will take more than goals — he will need to maintain the harmony and balance of the squad.
The longest, and most agonizing, transfer saga comes to an end. The official communication announcing ‘Kylian Mbappe: a Real Madrid player’ is just the start, there are multiple storylines and narratives to follow after his arrival. The next chapter will unfold with much of the intrigue on Mbappe’s integration and attitude as much as his on-field performance. The other stars of the team: Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo, have all publicly stated how eager they are to add the Frenchman to the squad. The best players want to play with the best players. Mbappe’s ability to seamlessly integrate into this close-knit group and embrace the culture and standards set at the club will be pivotal. If he succeeds, he could not only achieve the personal glory he has long coveted but also help Real Madrid continue their unprecedented run of success.
