Real Madrid: Mbappé reignites hopes with stunning performances

After a rocky start to the year, Real Madrid has successfully navigated through a turbulent phase, ending 2025 on a high note with three consecutive victories. Following disappointing losses against Celta de Vigo and Manchester City, Los Blancos bounced back with a crucial 2-1 win over Alavés, before securing a hard-fought 3-2 triumph against CF Talavera in the Copa del Rey.

The match against Talavera showcased the brilliance of Kylian Mbappé, who opened the scoring from the penalty spot after a handball was called against the hosts just before halftime. Shortly after, he orchestrated a low cross that deflected off a defender into the net for an own goal, doubling Madrid’s advantage. Despite Talavera’s spirited comeback in the 80th minute, Mbappé sealed the victory with a stunning strike from outside the box in the dying moments of the match. He continued his impressive form by scoring again from the penalty spot in a 2-0 win against Sevilla, further solidifying his status as Real’s talisman.

Mbappé’s Impact on Real Madrid

Real Madrid’s manager Carlo Ancelotti finds himself under pressure, but thanks to Mbappé’s individual brilliance, he has managed to stave off any immediate threat to his position. The French forward’s journey began in Paris, where he first made waves at AS Monaco before moving to Paris Saint-Germain. There, he became a prolific scorer with 256 goals and 110 assists across 308 appearances. His international accolades include leading France to victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and finishing as runner-up in 2022.

A Role Model for Young Players

Mbappé’s influence extends beyond his goal-scoring feats; he serves as an inspiration for emerging talents like Jason Shokalook, who recently signed with Chicago Fire. “His calmness under pressure is something I aspire to emulate,” Shokalook remarked in an interview. “In high-stakes moments, you can see how composed he remains while others falter.” This mentality is evident in Mbappé’s relentless pursuit of goals; even after netting twice in a match, his hunger for more remains insatiable.

Since joining Real Madrid in 2023, Mbappé has already made headlines by winning the Pichichi award after an impressive debut season despite not clinching any major trophies. This season has seen him elevate his game even further, boasting an astonishing tally of 28 goals and four assists in just 23 appearances. His current form places him six goals ahead of second-place Ferran Torres in the La Liga scoring charts.

Each time Ancelotti’s position seems precarious, Mbappé rises to the occasion. Following a disheartening loss to Atlético Madrid, he responded with a hat trick against Kairat Almaty and followed it up with crucial goals against Olympiacos and Girona. His recent contributions have drawn praise from analysts like Danny Higginbotham and Nico Cantor, who are already labeling him as a frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or in 2026.

As he approaches another milestone—just three goals shy of surpassing Olivier Giroud as France’s all-time leading scorer—Mbappé continues to chase records. He has matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s remarkable feat of scoring 59 goals for Real Madrid within a calendar year. With the next FIFA World Cup looming on the horizon, all eyes will be on him as he aims to guide France toward their third championship title.

As Kylian Mbappé continues to dazzle on the pitch, one question remains: can he maintain this incredible form and lead Real Madrid through their challenges? The football world eagerly awaits his next move.