Kylian Mbappe has spoken out about the “mentality problem” that gave him a slow start to life at Real Madrid.
Big things were expected of Mbappe when he moved to the Bernabeu on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
But the French captain wasn’t at his best early on in the Spanish capital, scoring just three goals in an 11-game span, with three missed penalties.
However, the 26-year-old has found new form more recently, scoring four goals in his last three games for Real.
“I think it was a mentality problem and that’s when I realized I had to work harder,” Mbappe said ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League game against Red Bull Salzburg.
“I’ve been thinking too much about how to do things. Whether you go into space, whether you go into Vini’s (Vinicius Jr.) area of the field, whether you go into Rodrygo’s area. If you think too much, you won’t concentrate on your game.
“I was feeling good physically and with the group, but I knew I had to do more, this was the time to change the situation.
“I am a player who always wants to achieve more. And when you see yourself not doing that, it affects you.
“I couldn’t make it worse. So when you hit rock bottom (after a miss against Liverpool), all you can do is go up.”
Speaking about the extra pressure on his shoulders since joining Los Blancos, Mbappe added: “It’s normal. People expected a lot from me.
“I don’t take it personally, it’s football. You have to stay calm and focused. I knew the situation could change.”
Mbappe scored an impressive opener against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup earlier this month before losing 5-2 to their fierce rivals. Since then, the French striker has scored against Celta Vigo before scoring twice against La Palmas at the weekend.
“I’ve been in good shape for a month or a month and a half,” Mbappe said. “I have full confidence in my game and in the team for Wednesday (against Salzburg).”
