After Real Madrid’s latest defeat in La Liga this Saturday on matchday 22, questions about the compatibility between Vinicius and Kylian Mbappé in attack have resurfaced. Asked about the subject, Jordi Lardín, a former renowned striker of Espanyol Barcelona, did not mince his words.
Real Madrid is far from stable this season. Now without key players such as Toni Kroos, Nacho Fernandez, or Karim Benzema, to name just a few, Florentino Pérez’s club is suffering from the absence of a true leader. Despite having talents like Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo Goes, Vinicius Junior, and Kylian Mbappé, the Madrid team is struggling. With a decimated defence, Carlo Ancelotti is finding it difficult to establish a solid and, above all, compatible team on the pitch.
“Mbappé is freer and more comfortable when Vinicius is not there”
Speaking of compatibility, the Spanish media outlet AS sought the opinion of former Spanish player Jordi Lardín regarding Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, and Kylian Mbappé. Interviewed on the sidelines of the match between Espanyol Barcelona (where he played between 1993 and 1997, with 163 appearances and 47 goals) and Real Madrid this Saturday, the former striker, now 51 years old, did not beat around the bush when stating what appears to be a reality.
Without mincing words, Lardín believes that the combination of these attacking players, especially Mbappé and Vinicius, creates more problems than solutions. “Rodrygo adapts to everyone because he is a team player with impressive individual qualities. However, I think Mbappé is freer and more comfortable when Vinicius is not there. But Vinicius cannot be sidelined because he is a global star, just like the other two. Ancelotti’s task of assembling the puzzle pieces is really not easy,” he stated.
Who should leave to improve the team?
As several rumours have suggested in recent days, Vinicius Junior is reportedly on the radar of Saudi clubs. Eager to make the Madrid winger one of the key figures of the Saudi league—alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, who are ageing—Saudi Arabia is said to be ready to splash hundreds of millions of euros to lure Vinicius Junior. On Saturday, AS asked the former Espanyol Barcelona legend whether it would be important for Real Madrid to let go of a player who does not necessarily shine alongside Kylian Mbappé.
Once again, Jordi Lardín was direct. While he dismissed the idea of Real Madrid selling the Brazilian star simply to make money, the former Espanyol striker did suggest that such a move could help balance the team. “I think they (Madrid) need stars more than millions, and Vinicius is a huge star. If it were to improve the team, then maybe yes, but I don’t think that’s the case right now. I don’t think they need to sell him.”
This is a clear analysis that is far from inaccurate. In the matches where Kylian Mbappé has shone so far this year, Vinicius Junior was absent from the pitch. Coincidentally, Rodrygo Goes, who scored goals and delivered outstanding performances, was deployed on the left side, which is usually Vinicius’ primary position. The fact remains that having three players who all prefer the left flank is causing problems for Carlo Ancelotti’s team.
Today, the big question is whether Florentino Pérez is aware of this situation, which is making things uncomfortable for Real Madrid. One thing is certain: it is a major issue that needs urgent management; otherwise, things could get even worse for a team that is far from convincing.
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