ZEKEY MEDIA ONLINE

Melody Pande

Is Kylian Mbappé Essential for Real Madrid?

In the 18th match of La Liga, Real Madrid achieved a convincing 5-1 victory over Real Betis, without Kylian Mbappe, who is sidelined for about five matches due to injury. This raised the question: does Real Madrid really need Mbappe? While each game is unique and results can still be positive without him, his absence does create significant challenges for the team.
Mbappe, the French international, has been outstanding this season, scoring 29 goals and providing five assists in just 24 appearances across all competitions. His contributions include key performances, such as the comeback win against Marseille in the Champions League and the victory over Barcelona in El Clasico. He currently leads La Liga with 18 goals, playing a crucial role in keeping Real Madrid in the title race and possibly ensuring that manager Xabi Alonso retains his position amid some inconsistency. Without Mbappe, the team must adjust its tactics, meaning players like Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham will need to elevate their performances to fill the gap with Vinicius Jr having to show his prowess too, perhaps star without attention on Mbappe.
In the match against Real Betis at the Bernabeu, fans witnessed a different scenario. Gonzalo García scored a hat trick, and Real Madrid delivered one of their best performances in months, decisively defeating a lackluster Real Betis 5-1. The team did not hesitate in the absence of Mbappe, showcasing an impressive attacking display as they resumed play after La Liga’s winter break. Stats show that Real Madrid has made 5 appearances without Mbappe in Laliga since 2024-25 season, drawing 2 and winning 3.
While it’s clear that Mbappe brings a lot of hope and value to the team, Real Madrid managed to offensively navigate during these period.
More challenging matches loom on the horizon again. Upcoming fixtures include the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Atletico Madrid, a UEFA Champions League clash with Ligue 1 side Monaco, and a tough La Liga match against Villarreal. Xabi Alonso
may need to modify his playbook to account for the absence of Mbappe and exploit the strengths of those who are available.
After these games, we may be in a better position to determine whether Mbappe is truly irreplaceable or not for Real Madrid.