Fans have raised one major concern after watching Kylian Mbappe’s competitive debut for Real Madrid.
On Wednesday night, the UEFA Super Cup final was held at the National Stadium in Warsaw, where Champions League winners Madrid faced Europa League champions Atalanta.
Before the game, the main focus was on the highly awaited debut of French star Mbappe, who had recently joined Madrid after departing from Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain at the conclusion of the 23/24 season.
Mbappé played alongside Vinícius Jr and Rodrygo in attack for Carlo Ancelotti’s team, primarily positioning himself in the central part of the forward line.
On social media, reactions varied:
– One fan argued, “I still believe Mbappé isn’t suited for a central role. He prefers being wide on the left and cutting inside.”
– Another tweeted, “If Mbappé plays as a central forward for Madrid, he’ll flop; he doesn’t fit the system.”
– A third fan commented, “Mbappé is ineffective in this position. Madrid fans will soon realize he’s one of the most overrated players. I’m glad he left PSG.”
– Another wrote, “Playing Mbappé centrally as a number nine will significantly reduce his impact. His best and most exciting position is out on the left wing, where he can run at defenders. Madrid should consider moving him centrally only when he’s older, like they did with Ronaldo.” A fifth comment read: “Mbappé doesn’t look good in the middle.”
Another fan suggested, “Don Carlo should use Mbappé on the wing to maximize his effectiveness, not as a central forward. Vini should move to the right, and Rodrygo can take the number 9 position.”
Ahead of the match, Ancelotti addressed the challenge posed by Mbappé’s arrival. He said, “I have a major problem. All summer, I’ve been contemplating who to play and who to leave out, which has ruined my holidays. It’s straightforward: they are all good. This problem doesn’t really exist.”
“We have many games ahead. I don’t expect the same eleven players to be used for all 70 matches. Last year, those who played less made significant contributions, and this year could be crucial for them.” Kylian Mbappé’s competitive debut for Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup final against Atalanta has sparked significant discussion among fans, particularly regarding his positioning on the field. Although Madrid won the match, many fans expressed concern over Ancelotti’s decision to play Mbappé as a central striker rather than in his preferred role on the left wing.
Mbappé’s lack of effectiveness in the central role led to mixed reactions on social media. Fans pointed out that he seemed less impactful when positioned centrally, arguing that his strengths lie in exploiting space on the left and cutting inside—similar to how Cristiano Ronaldo was used before transitioning to a more central role later in his career. This has led to speculation that Madrid’s system might not fully harness Mbappé’s talents if he continues to play centrally, and some fans fear that this could limit his contributions to the team.
Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged the challenge of integrating Mbappé into the squad alongside other star forwards like Vinícius Jr. and Rodrygo, but he remained optimistic, suggesting that the team’s depth will be key over a long season. However, as the season progresses, the tactical decisions regarding Mbappé’s role will be closely scrutinized, especially if his performances don’t meet the high expectations set by his arrival at the club.
