Real Madrid’s star players and manager Carlo Ancelotti were reportedly not in favor of the club signing Kylian Mbappe this summer, according to former French international Emmanuel Petit. Despite Mbappe’s high profile and the excitement surrounding his arrival, Petit suggests that the 25-year-old’s integration into the squad has caused disruption, particularly after a strong season that saw Los Blancos claim both La Liga and the Champions League titles.
Mbappe’s Arrival and Its Impact on the Dressing Room
Real Madrid has a long history of making world-record signings, with high-profile acquisitions such as Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Gareth Bale. However, Mbappe’s arrival, despite being free of a transfer fee, came with immense expectations. Initially, the French forward struggled, failing to score in his first three La Liga matches. Although he has found the net more regularly since then, Real Madrid’s overall form has remained inconsistent, raising questions about his fit within the squad.
Petit, speaking to Casino Hawks, claimed that Mbappe’s presence has not been welcomed by everyone at the club:
“I’m sure that Carlo Ancelotti and several Real Madrid players didn’t want the club to sign Kylian Mbappe in the summer. This was a Real Madrid dressing room that had just won La Liga and the Champions League, and Mbappe’s arrival has only brought trouble.”
Tensions in the Squad
The addition of Mbappe has reportedly created tension, especially among key players like Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham, who have both emerged as key figures in Real Madrid’s attack. With each player vying for individual accolades, including the Ballon d’Or, Mbappe’s arrival has led to clashes over the spotlight. Petit added:
“When you win big trophies, you build happiness, and bringing in big egos changes things. The biggest problem for Mbappe is having two teammates who also want to be the star of the show and want to win the Ballon d’Or in Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr.”
Mbappe’s Future at Real Madrid
Despite the reported unrest, Petit remains hopeful that Mbappe will eventually find his place within the team. The former Chelsea and Arsenal player emphasized the importance of Mbappe proving his mental strength and consistency in order to succeed at Real Madrid:
“Kylian Mbappe has just got to show that he has the character and mental strength to put things right. He needs to show that he can be as strong as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of mentality to find his consistency. He needs to show that he has real character and personality on the pitch.”
For now, Mbappe’s future at the club appears to hinge on his ability to adapt to the demands of Real Madrid and its star-studded squad. His success at the Spanish giants will likely depend on whether he can strike a balance between his individual ambition and the collective goals of the team.
