On the CBS Sports set following Real Madrid’s latest home defeat to AC Milan in the Champions League, Thierry Henry didn’t hold back on Kylian Mbappé. While several voices already criticise the Bondy-born forward for a style of play that doesn’t seem to favour the Madrid team, the former French legend drove the point home with sharp analysis, backed up by evidence.
Could Kylian Mbappé Actually Be Real Madrid’s Real Problem This Season? Having arrived in the Spanish capital with great fanfare, finally expected to make fans forget names like Karim Benzema and others, the captain of the French national team has so far failed to meet expectations. Although he remains a regular starter up front due to his undeniable star status, the former PSG player has been highly disappointing in recent days. After his catastrophic performance in La Liga against Barça just a few days ago, KM9 fell short once again against AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Indeed, once again starting at the spearhead of the attack alongside Vinicius Junior, Mbappé tried to make a difference but to no avail. In the match lost 1-3 by Madrid, who seem to have lost their spark in recent weeks, the 25-year-old forward missed several opportunities. While some have criticised Carlo Ancelotti’s team’s mindset, Thierry Henry has directed his remarks squarely at his young compatriot and his style of play.
Henry’s blunt analysis of Mbappé
Speaking as a consultant for the British channel CBS Sports, the former France U21 coach was baffled by Mbappé’s lack of effort to play as a true number 9. While Karim Benzema openly criticised KM9’s shortcomings, noting that Mbappé has never been a proper striker but is forced to fulfil that role at Real Madrid due to the club’s circumstances—already having a superstar on the left wing—Henry argues that his compatriot is making no effort to adapt.
As some observers have already pointed out, Thierry Henry began his post-match analysis following the AC Milan defeat by emphasising the frustration of Madrid players when playing with Kylian Mbappé. “I think the team is frustrated with him, which I can understand, it’s not easy,” he initially commented on CBS Sports, before adding: “He needs time, but at the same time, he must learn to play as a number 9, to have the desire and the willingness to project himself forward.”
Does Bellingham show more commitment than KM9?
To illustrate Kylian Mbappé’s lack of willingness to adapt to his position as a number 9, Thierry Henry backed his opinion by highlighting several key actions from midfielder Jude Bellingham, who occasionally moved into the centre-forward area in Madrid’s attack. “Bellingham is trying to do what your number 9, Mbappé, is supposed to do. It’s almost always Bellingham making the runs, trying to get the team going, dropping back. It’s him again trying to break the lines.”
Still in front of the large screen at the British broadcaster, the former Arsenal Gunners star showed even harsher criticism of Mbappé in the remainder of his commentary. Pointing out his compatriot handling the ball in midfield, far from the front line, Thierry Henry exclaimed, “That’s your number 9,” pointing to him before highlighting Bellingham’s more central and advanced position: “That’s your number 10.“
Continuing his analysis, the 1998 World Cup champion didn’t mince his words. “Once again, who is making the run and trying to reach the goal? It’s Bellingham, not your number 9. There is frustration. Look at the number 9! Once again, your 9 doesn’t go, but your 10 does. I know it can happen sometimes, but it can’t be all the time. That’s what I’m trying to say. I know he’s not a number 9, and it’s not what he likes to do. But do you think Bellingham enjoys making these runs to stretch the team? He does it because he has the desire and the drive.“
Completely astonished by the state of Real Madrid’s gameplay with Kylian Mbappé, Thierry Henry states clearly that it’s impossible to win at this pace. “Look where he starts from and then overtakes his number 9 to make a run behind the defence. You can’t win matches like that, with your number 10 breaking lines, coming back, trying to defend, and then scoring on the other end. And after that, he got substituted; I would have been frustrated too and kicked a bottle myself,” he added.
Henry’s hard-hitting advice
Without sugar-coating his words, the former Barcelona player asserts that Kylian Mbappé’s current performance level is inadequate. “For me, it’s just not good enough. I don’t think they’re playing well as a team. But with the ball, he (Mbappé) also has to do much more,” he continued before pointing out what needs to change.
“We’re not asking him to hold the ball up like Didier Drogba, nor are we asking him to take the ball and dribble everyone. But to project forward when the team is high; whether you’re a winger, a 9, or a 10, you can make a run—even Rüdiger made a run in the first half,” Henry concluded. The message is clear. Now it’s up to Carlo Ancelotti to find a quick solution to this pressing issue in his team, with strong choices, lest he face an early exit.
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