For Real Madrid supporters keeping up with football developments on 12BET Malaysia, Kylian Mbappe’s arrival on a free transfer in summer 2024 initially seemed like the final piece of the puzzle. Madrid had already secured a historic double, and adding one of the world’s finest players appeared certain to make an already dominant squad even stronger. Many believed European football was entering an era of Real Madrid supremacy, with more trophies seemingly inevitable. Instead, the outcome has been surprisingly different. Mbappe continues to deliver remarkable goalscoring numbers, but the club’s collective achievements have fallen well short of expectations.
This contrast has fueled an increasingly divisive debate over whether Mbappe represents Real Madrid’s greatest strength or a deeper tactical problem. Supporters and critics appear almost evenly divided. Judged purely on individual performances, however, his statistics are difficult to challenge. During his debut season, the French forward registered 44 goals and five assists across 59 appearances in all competitions. His La Liga record was particularly impressive, producing 31 goals in 34 matches and earning both the Pichichi Trophy and European Golden Shoe. He finished the campaign as Madrid’s undisputed leading scorer.
His second season brought another extraordinary return, with 42 goals in 44 appearances. Mbappe retained the La Liga scoring crown, becoming the first Real Madrid player since Cristiano Ronaldo to win consecutive Pichichi awards. A combined 86 goals across two seasons places his scoring efficiency among the finest in the club’s history. For supporters assessing individual excellence on 12BET Malaysia, these numbers provide compelling evidence that Mbappe has delivered exactly what was expected of him as a goalscorer.
The commercial benefits have been equally substantial. Following his arrival, Real Madrid reportedly sold 345,000 Mbappe shirts carrying the number 10 within just 48 hours, setting an impressive club record. Marketing-related revenue reached 43% of the club’s overall income, with Mbappe and Vinicius Junior serving as major drivers of that growth. Beyond performances on the pitch, the French superstar has strengthened Madrid’s global appeal, expanded its commercial influence, and contributed significant brand value.
Yet the sporting comparison tells a different story. Before Mbappe joined in summer 2024, Real Madrid had won both La Liga and the Champions League, lifting Europe’s most prestigious club trophy twice within three years. Following his arrival, the team endured two consecutive seasons without any of the four major trophies. Barcelona claimed the Spanish league title, while Madrid’s Champions League campaigns ended without another European triumph.
The contrast becomes even more striking when examining Paris Saint-Germain. According to the reported comparison, Mbappe’s former club claimed consecutive Champions League titles in 2025 and 2026, while Ousmane Dembele rose to Ballon d’Or glory. The irony is difficult to ignore. Before Mbappe arrived, Madrid consistently collected major trophies. After signing him, the team became one capable of producing extraordinary individual statistics without converting that talent into collective success.
Of course, placing the entire responsibility on Mbappe would be unfair. Toni Kroos’s departure, recurring defensive injuries, and reported dressing-room disagreements have all contributed to Madrid’s difficulties. Nevertheless, as the club’s highest-paid and most influential player, Mbappe cannot completely distance himself from the team’s collective shortcomings. Leadership brings responsibility, particularly when results fail to match expectations.
His defensive contribution has also attracted considerable criticism. During the 2025-26 La Liga season, Mbappe reportedly ranked last among all 461 participating players for defensive running, averaging approximately 8.23 kilometers per match. That figure was considerably below Harry Kane’s reported 10.3 kilometers. Another statistical assessment placed his running distance at just 10 kilometers per 90 minutes and categorized him among the forwards contributing the least defensive running. He reportedly completed only six defensive actions throughout the league campaign, averaging fewer than 0.2 per appearance and ranking near the bottom among players in comparable attacking positions.
These figures raise an uncomfortable tactical question. Modern football increasingly demands collective pressing, positional discipline, and defensive cooperation from attacking players. A forward who consistently scores goals can still leave teammates exposed when the opposition has possession. Although Mbappe’s attacking output remains exceptional, his limited defensive involvement may complicate Madrid’s attempts to maintain balance across the pitch.
Problems beyond football have also intensified scrutiny of the French international. Spanish broadcaster Cadena SER reportedly suggested that confidence in Mbappe was declining within the Real Madrid dressing room. During an international break, he allegedly spent time traveling with his girlfriend while recovering from an injury, drawing criticism from supporters and reportedly upsetting some figures within the club’s leadership. Such incidents have raised further questions about his commitment and ability to establish himself as a trusted leader.
For football followers tracking Real Madrid’s struggles on 12BET Malaysia, the central question is whether Mbappe’s extraordinary goalscoring ability can compensate for the problems surrounding his influence on the team. Without sufficient trust from teammates, consistent defensive commitment, and stronger collective results, even impressive attacking statistics may fail to silence his critics. That is why the argument that Mbappe’s goals somehow hurt Real Madrid has gained traction. His talent is beyond dispute, but until individual brilliance translates into major trophies, the debate over whether he strengthens or disrupts the team is unlikely to disappear.