Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has defended French superstar Kylian Mbappe following criticism over his recent inconsistent performances, calling it “normal” given the high demands of the season and the unique challenges faced by players of his caliber.
Mbappe, who joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain last summer in a highly anticipated transfer, has shown moments of brilliance but has also struggled for consistency. Despite his incredible talent and impressive goal tally, his fluctuating form has drawn concern from fans and pundits alike.
The 26-year-old striker was exceptional in Real Madrid’s Champions League clash against Manchester City, where he scored a stunning hat-trick and played a pivotal role in their 6-3 aggregate victory.
But in his next two games against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and Real Betis in La Liga Mbappe failed to find the back of the net and appeared far less influential on the pitch.
Addressing this inconsistency, Ancelotti explained that the ups and downs in Mbappe’s form are to be expected for a player of his quality and the demanding nature of Madrid’s season.
“What we saw against Atletico was not the same player we saw against City,” Ancelotti admitted in a pre-match press conference ahead of Real Madrid’s La Liga fixture against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
“Against City, he scored three goals and was unstoppable. Against Atletico, he didn’t score and wasn’t at his best. But on a general level, he’s doing very well, and we’re very happy with his contributions. He understands and we understand that he won’t always be at his peak in every game.”
Despite the criticism, Mbappe’s numbers remain impressive. Since arriving at the Bernabéu, he has scored 28 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions, proving to be a vital part of Real Madrid’s attacking force.
Ancelotti further explained that inconsistency is common among highly talented players because their style of play often relies on moments of brilliance, which can sometimes be difficult to maintain over a long and grueling season.
“In a season this demanding, inconsistency is quite normal, especially for a player with his level of talent,” the Italian manager said.
“Players with such extraordinary quality often have more ups and downs — it’s part of their genetic makeup. The more creative and skillful a player is, the harder it can be to maintain consistent performances. That’s what happened with him in that game against Atletico.”
Despite his occasional dips in form, Ancelotti stressed that Mbappe remains a crucial figure for the team. His four-goal performance against Manchester City was instrumental in securing their place in the Champions League last-16, and his ability to change the course of a match with moments of magic makes him indispensable.
“If we’re in the Champions League last 16, it’s because of his four goals in the previous round,” Ancelotti noted.
Real Madrid currently sits third in the La Liga table, three points behind fierce rivals Barcelona, who are set to face Osasuna on Saturday. With the title race heating up, every match becomes crucial for Los Blancos as they chase their 36th league crown.
Adding to Madrid’s concerns, Spanish media reports suggest that key center-back Antonio Rudiger may miss the upcoming clash against Rayo Vallecano due to illness, potentially weakening their defensive line.
Despite recent setbacks, Ancelotti remains optimistic about his squad’s readiness. The team’s 2-1 victory over Atletico in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie gives them an edge ahead of the return leg at the Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday.
“We’re ready to fight in every game and every competition,” Ancelotti affirmed.
He attributed last week’s 2-1 defeat against Real Betis to limited preparation time but believes the team is in a much better position now.
“We’ve had five days of rest this time, and I’m much calmer ahead of tomorrow’s match,” he added.
As Real Madrid prepares for their upcoming fixtures, all eyes will remain on Mbappe hoping he can rediscover the form that makes him one of the most dangerous forwards in world football.
