Kylian Mbappe admits he reached his lowest point following a missed penalty against Athletic Bilbao earlier this month but used the setback as motivation to reignite his form at Real Madrid.
The French superstar, who joined Madrid last summer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain as their all-time top scorer, faced a challenging start to life in Spain. Hampered by hamstring and thigh injuries, Mbappe struggled to adapt to his new surroundings and form. However, since his missed penalty in a 2-1 loss to Athletic, Mbappe has rediscovered his confidence, scoring four goals in all competitions, including a crucial opener in Sunday’s 4-2 La Liga victory over Sevilla.
In total, Mbappe has netted six times in his last eight matches, bringing his season tally to 13 goals across all competitions, along with three assists in 23 appearances.
Reflecting on his turning point, Mbappe told Real Madrid TV:
“The Bilbao game was a wake-up call for me. Missing that penalty was tough, but it made me realize I needed to give everything for this club and play with more determination.”
Mbappe’s resurgence has been vital for Real Madrid, where he has scored 10 goals in 16 La Liga matches, helping the team finish the year just one point behind leaders Atletico Madrid.
His contributions have extended beyond domestic competition. Mbappe also scored in Madrid’s 3-0 victory over Pachuca in the Intercontinental Cup final, becoming only the third player in the last decade to score in his first two finals for the club, following Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio.
“I know I can score even more and contribute in bigger ways,” Mbappe said.
“The last few games have shown how much better I understand my teammates and the system. The settling-in period is over, and I feel more comfortable on the pitch.”
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has praised Mbappe’s work ethic and adaptability, noting his growing influence on the team.
Madrid will look to continue their strong run when they travel to face Valencia in La Liga on January 3. For Mbappe, the focus remains on maintaining his upward trajectory and delivering consistent performances for his new club.
